No and No. at least not in the sense that athletes in money

Sports are. They did give her non need-based financial aid in an effort to get her on campus, not unlike many schools do for many non athletes that they believe will enrich the culture on their campus in some way.

But I really don’t think any of that matters. Schools make a commitment to all of their students, not just the athletes. And all students make commitments to their schools, not just athletes.

If the situation fundamentally changes and the promise can not be delivered by either party, then they should have the option to sever that relationship without penalty or prevention of movement to another school or a professional organization.

But the argument that a school somehow owes more to their starting QB or the coxswain on their crew team than they do to the chemistry major who needs to participate in their labs on campus or a musician or performance artist that needs to hone and develop their skills as part of the ensemble on campus doesn’t hold water.

Online classes might work for the very basics. But it’s not like being there, and it isn’t a valid substitute for being at the University or college. Lawsuits are already being filed over this and i would expect a lot more if the Universities don’t figure this out soon.