Yes I think universities should pay to college athletes as if they won a competition or a famous league the second thing after their parents gets limelight is the school or college they are studying in. And it is important for the uni also to support their students for such things. Some players don't even have access to the basic tools of sports even they are master in that particular sport. And after all the athlete plays not only for himself he plays for his college, his university, his country, etc so as a university it's their basic duty to encourage the athlete by morally and financially supporting him.

It's true that not every player gets the recognition and the fame he deserves, sometimes the specific sport is famous among the audience so only the players or athletes in that domain will get good money. Sometimes the low famous sports are not get recognition or have very less competitions and leagues so the players don't get paid that much sometimes don't even get paid. So if the university pays for them it'll ve for their good as they can fulfill their basic needs atleast. For example football is very famous and the players like messy ronaldo receives big amount of money for one match while the other sports don't earn so much. Atleast players playing in olympics or representing thier country should receive the money from university

I'm not saying about the small entry level competition I am saying about the players and athelete who are playing for their countries not for normal inter college competitions. And to support them basic pay should be there as they're studies get stuck due to competition and if there's no career as I've said the sport is not famous and don't conduct many matches then it will be for their survival. In india many players who are even olympic champian are fighting for their basic needs as there is no source of money for them and they don't even get the attention regardless of the winning.