I do think that the student-athletes should be compensated for their work. One proposal I don't think anyone has mentioned a proposal once that would allow athletes to do something like major in football or basketball. My recall of the details isn't perfect, but it would naturally have an element of practical study during the season, like Northeastern's co-op program and could be supplemented with extra coursework in the off-season. The students would take courses on coaching skills, kinesiology, physical therapy, financial skills, statistics, etc. It would probably serve some student-athletes better than how I imagine a number of students in big-name schools competing in big revenue sports, are dealt with.
It would at least a bit more of an honest degree and likely be of more interest and help to a number of these athlete-student. And not that many theater majors become movie stars, but they acquire other skills that allow them to work elsewhere in the industry.
Ah, here is a
link that mentions the idea with slightly more content than my memory.