They can work at McDonalds, so why shouldn’t they work at their sport. High school isn’t quite the money factory college sports is (except football in Texas maybe, have you look at some of those stadiums). But college sports is a multibillion dollar industry, and the idea that the people at the most risk of life altering injuries in that industry shouldn’t get paid because... well frankly stupid reasons is evil.
For a couple dozen schools. For the hundreds of other colleges, it an expense.
In a few years if nothing changes, those few dozen schools will just be minor league affiliates of the pros who will be front men for the gambling apps where the big bucks will be made.