Imagine a smaller college where football barely pays the bills. Paying athletes could mean cutting other sports or raising student fees. I guess I feel the scholarship and exposure are already the deal, even if that sounds unfair. I don't know how to argue it better.

To me this is less about fairness for stars and more about whether most athletic departments can even afford it. You make a fair point that players drive interest, and I'm not sure how to counter that. I just worry paying some means cutting others.

I still think most athletic departments run on tight budgets, so paying players could mean cutting smaller sports. Your point about stars driving interest is fair, and I honestly don't know how to argue around it. It just feels like the money isn't there for everyone.