This is not actually what happened. They were trading their own apparel for the tattoos. Tressel was fired because there was an FBI investigation done with the tattoo parlor (not OSU) and when he was notified by the FBI that there was a lot of OSU memorabilia at the parlor (thinking it was stolen) an investigation showed what happened. His crime was he didn’t report the infraction to the NCAA and when it finally came to light a year later and the NCAA asked about it, he lied. Thats why OSU fired him.
If this happened now, it would all be legal by the NCAA. Just like Johnny football making $30k a month, selling autographs. It’s funny because while $30k sounds like a lot, Texas A&M made over 40 million off his name and likeness. I’m 100% fine with student athletes making money now and it’s about time!!