Not paid? Ask the student who takes out multiple loans to pay for school. How much is room and board, tutors, tuition and fees, etc. if you add it up 25,000 a yearAs if degree cannot inform principle.
The difference between your typical extracurricular activity and job is that the former is of predominant benefit to the participant, whereas the latter benefits the employer quite a bit, which justifies compensation.
Students don't get paid to participate in stuff like glee club. They do get paid to work in the library. Why the difference? Glee club's primary benefit is to the kids who participate in it. Working in the library however benefits the university.
Clearly the university benefits from the revenue and media attention brought in by student athletes. And still doesn't pay them btw. Now, finally, athletes are merely not prohibited from seeking off the court compensation. Which by the way has never been a prohibition faced by students on academic scholarships.
I was a 4 year varsity athlete at U of I , it was the best 4 years ever. NIL is great for the athletes, especially for those who the University uses for the face of the sport. I would also point out that star athletes particularly in man’s basketball and football get their faces on national TV that allows them to sign the contacts they sign in the pros. It benefits everyone. They also have access to one of the best Universities in the country for an education-that is something.