I don't know how it works. But paying kids under the table seems appropriate. These kids are making these programs shit tons of money. And since you can't pay a football star without paying a softball player, then maybe under the table is the way it should be.
I'm not opposed to athletes getting a few dollars of spending money, but they are getting a scholarship already and the difference between the average income of high school grad and a college grad is, roughly, equivalent to the amount of money they make for the program. A free scholarship, if one takes advantage of its perks, is a very good deal.
They already are getting allowances and housing supplements (if one chooses not to live on campus). Whether that is enough of a stipend is another story.
I like that Tenny specified the unlawful nature of paying student athletes in the thread title, albeit parenthetically.
They may be getting a great opportunity, but it doesn't change the fact that a lot of the kids are still poor. Even with the risk involved, I imagine it's hard for a poor kid and his family to say no to money.
I agree, but to think that these same kids are going to turn down golden handshakes because they get an extra couple of thousand a year from the university is rather silly (not saying you are making that argument).
