“.... a system where everybody but the athletes make money on what the athletes do,”
Attending Northwestern (where this case arose) costs $50K+/year. The athletes’ scholarships wipe out that cost. Only the very best athletes (top 1%) ever go on to the pros in any sport. But their educations, if they actually pay attention to that part, stay with them for life.
But they’re not even allowed to sell their autograph (though the school and NCAA can). And students on academic scholarships get stipends which the NCAA won’t allow.
The simple fact is they’re getting screwed. People getting screwed have an unfortunate habit of forming unions.