Those are possible outcomes, although there is a (theoretical) change of a much higher yield. I mean, winning a national championship is a little better than a smile, right? But no, it's obviously not going to return any money into your pocket. You are essentially gambling on a chance of some type of endorphin hit - it only matters to what extent it comes. Everyone has to decide what that means to them and if it is worth the investment.
Look, I'm not defending the system. I'm not a fan of it. I'm just trying to make sense of it. The players -- on a graduated scale -- obviously have some sort of market value. It's not for their name, image, or likeness in the vast majority of cases, but their talent has value. We know this because people are paying them for it. I just wish the system was not one that leaned most heavily on fans and alumni to fund it.