Respectfully, I understand your position,; however, all athletes agree to the terms placed upon them by the NCAA and the individual Universities. Society rejects theft. Assuming the facts as presented are correct, the two kids stole. They should be punished. Punishment should fit the crime. Firt offenses usually result in restitution and some community service to remind them that crime does not pay. Beyond a first offense, they should face harsher penalties.
That said, yes football and basketball brings in lots of money. Fair point. The monies are used to help fellow athletes in far less revenue generating sports get their degrees and have prosperous lives. Simply taking the revenues generated by football and basketball and paying players more would destroy other sports (aside from causing issues with Title IX). This is not a decision within a vacuum, there are many pieces to the puzzle and simply paying out a lot of money for a kid to play football is not feasible. SU already pays a stipend, that these two are not satisfied with the stipend is immaterial, theft is wrong. Recall that the kids already get a full ride in academics for up to five years, get all the gear they need, get food coming out their ears (figuratively) with professional advise on how to balance their needs with their diets, they get special privileges regarding fitness and they get more life coaching than the average student.
Living within ones means is a life lesson that each of us must learn. These two decided they did not need to live within their means (Free tuition, gear, food, books, etc. and a stipend) or they decided the stipend was not sufficient for their desires. They took a chance (risk assessment) and got caught (still operating on the assumption that what we have seen released is true). Giving them more money is not the answer, living within their means is the answer. No one forced these kids to sign with Syracuse, they knew the deal and when one considers that they are essentially getting a $100K+/year job (they don't pay taxes on the free ride, gear, books, etc.) as a high school graduate, who among us wouldn't sign up for that? Many on here would take that offer now!
That said, if Syracuse is losing out on the low stipend (mentioned elsewhere in the thread), they need to re-assess the matter and what is actually included in the package deal. The SEC is paying off kids, no doubt, Syracuse probably cannot afford to pay all athletes the same stipend as the SEC schools can. There will be a balance and Syracuse will have to find it.