Watch the documentary film The Business of Amateurs. You can access it through your BrightSpace
page, the LMU library website (under databases search for Kanopy), as demonstrated in class, or
directly at lmu.kanopystreaming.com.
After watching the complete film, write short answers for the following questions (one paragraph
should suffice for each).
1. Who would be considered the “author” of this film? What are his/her credentials? (Look at p. 49
again; include as much information as you can).
2. Is the film objective or is it biased? Why do you think so?
3. If the film is biased, what stance does the author take?
Several people are interviewed for this film. Choose M of them and write short answers for the
following questions:
1. What are his/her credentials?
2. What opinions does he/she express?
3. Are his/her opinions biased? Why do you think so? Do they support the filmmaker’s stance?
Finally, choose M of the several issues raised by the film and write a 2-3 page essay in which you
state your opinion on the issue.
Some of the issues raised:
Whether or not NCAA athletes should be paid beyond their scholarships.
Whether or not NCAA athletes should own the rights to their own names and/or likenesses.
Whether or not student-athletes are given enough time and support to be students as well as athletes.
Whether or not some college coaches are overpaid.
The safety of playing college sports, particularly, but not limited to, football.
There are other issues presented in the film you could write about. It is up to you. You should use
specific examples from the film. You may paraphrase or quote directly, but make sure you cite what
you use in your text, with a corresponding Works Cited entry.
Ex. In The Business of Amateurs it is shown that college football players (Business of Amateurs).
Ex. In the film, former college basketball star Ed O’Bannon says, “….” (Business of Amateurs).
You can use examples from the film to support your own opinions; or, you can use your opinions to
refute ideas presented in the film; or possibly some combination of both. You may use additional
sources if you wish, but make sure you cite them in your text and include them in your Works Cited.
