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I wouldn't consider full ride scholarships, personal tutors and assistants, as well as what ever kick backs they can get under the table from boosters and alums "nothing at all".

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But there's essentially a modest salary cap. Whether you just made the cut for a scholarship or you're in the Heisman race and are responsible for a huge boost in ticket sales, you get ~$70k, which must be redeemed in the form of tuition, college room and board, tutoring, etc. You can try to supplement with under the table money, but it will still be pretty modest (like 10k max?).

On the other hand, coaches get to demand pay that is somewhat linked to the value they provide to the school, and they don't even have to risk career-ending and life-changing injuries (and incur almost certain subtle brain damage) in the process.

Oh, and as is common in our society, the people with the high-paid, safe job are mostly white, and there are many people of color in the exploited job (especially in the sports that make real money). Oh, and they're basically all men.

As we've seen from scandals at universities around the country, players don't actually get much of an education. How could they when they have to devote so much time to proper diet, practice, and then the games themselves?

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