Why stop there? Why not pay high school players? How about j-high? Little Leaguers? Aren’t those kids worth anything??? (/s, if it’s not obvious)
Why isn’t a scholarship that covers the cost of a college education considered sufficient payment for athletes anymore?
Good luck to the coaches who have to game plan around players who may show up or who may enter the portal at the drop of a hat. It’s a new roster every year unless you are in a school that can pay the biggest of bucks. Only the schools that can pay their players the most will stand a chance of winning conference championships, never mind a natty. The playing field is definitely not level.
“Why isn’t a scholarship that covers the cost of a college education considered sufficient payment for athletes anymore?”
Because the market has determined that elite college athletes have a value that exceeds the cost of a scholarship.
Because for a large number of these players, the “education” consists of ad-hoc classes mixed together that don’t lead to a real degree (see “Studies”) taught by Dr. Friend of the Program to ensure eligibility. See the UNC scandal.