Pay for athletes

I never thought of the NCAA as a high integrity organization. And I have some empathy for college football players whose names and images are moneymakers for others and not them. But they are not victims. They are supported by scholarships, meal tickets, coaching, medical care, training facilities, media attention, tutoring and campus notoriety. The college provides an education, PR support and a venue for the athlete to perform. Football is a team sport, and these premier athletes would not be what they are without the support of the players who are not the media favorites. What about these teammates?

What about the actors, musicians, dancers and artists who build strong college departments? Their images and names are used, and their artistic contributions bring in money. Should they be paid? What about young scientists whose work might be sold or patented? Should they be paid?

The main focus of a college or university should be education. Money taints the system and produces dilemmas like the recent California law attempts to address. I think this law is a mistake, which will open up a big can of worms and will not address the issue in any way that has to do with real fairness.