re: The Big Ten’s revenue distributions will top $52 million per school next year

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What about women’s soccer and tennis?

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What about them?

The entire premise of paying athletes is not based on them "representing the university". It's based on the capitalistic idea that said athletes are providing a service that is bringing in profits.

That being said, most (if not all) programs outside of football and basketball for most universities do not operate at a profit. In fact, they operate at a loss and are subsidized by the football and basketball programs.

Here's another dilemma. Does the university's non profit tax status remain in place if they have "paid employees" that are generating profits? Per the IRS tax code, are players to be considered "1099" and subject to taxes on not only what they are being "paid", but the value of all the perks they are given for being student athletes? (free tuition, free books, free clothes, free food, free board, free medical care, free training, etc...)

It's not just a simple "Well let's just pay the players" situation.