Still don't exactly get how any of this is illegal. Company pays a player (or advisor to influence player). Player agrees to work for the company later when out of college. ???

NCAA violation? Definitely. Morally wrong? Ok, sure.

If the player or advisor does not report the income, then that is between them and the IRS, but not the company that made the payment. I don't think I have read where the companies are using illegally acquired funds to pay the players so don't see where money laundering would be involved. There does not appear to be a motive to defraud people of their money in some sort of scheme, so not sure how fraud is involved.

What am I missing? There has to be something obvious I am just overlooking that makes this illegal.