If they were allowed to be in commercials, sign deals w/ apparel lines, etc, who exactly is harmed by that? I get why people such as yourself are uncomfortable with the idea of colleges paying their players AFTER providing an education. But I fail to understand why an entire system is set up to see that college athletes MUST make NO money. Would Jimmer have had any companies wanting to cash in on Jimmer-mania his senior year were it legal? My guess is absolutely! So who exactly does it harm for them to get royalties on their jersey sales, or a piece of the video game pie, etc?

There is not a valid argument to be had about the supposed morality of making money for playing sports once one is out of college, but not making a dime while in college. That entire notion is made up to ensure that whatever money IS made goes into the pockets of the NCAA without paying a dime of it going into players' pockets. And why? Well, simply because they can.