The cost of college sports varies depending on the program, school, and sport, but can range from millions to tens of millions of dollars per year.
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The cost of college sports is a complex matter as it varies depending on various factors. According to a report by USA Today, in 2019, the average expenses for an NCAA Division I program were $21.2 million, with football and basketball programs accounting for the majority of the expenses. These expenses include coaches’ salaries, team travel, facilities maintenance, equipment, and scholarships.
It’s essential to note that not all programs generate revenue, and some even run at a loss. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) reported that only about 24 athletic programs generate enough revenue to cover their expenses. The top-grossing programs are football and basketball, generating billions of dollars in revenue for universities.
In addition, colleges and universities invest significant sums of money in athletic facilities to attract top talent, improve player development, and generate revenue. Stadiums, arenas, and training facilities are major investments that benefit college sports programs and student-athletes.
According to the Delta Cost Project, institutions in the Power Five conferences (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, and SEC) spent an average of $159,000 per athlete in 2019.
In conclusion, the cost of college sports is a significant investment for universities and colleges, and it can vary from millions to tens of millions of dollars per year.
As Abraham Lincoln once said: “I’m a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts.”
Here’s a table showcasing the cost of college sports for some universities in the US:
| University Name | Athletic Expenses (2019) |
|---|---|
| University of Alabama | $185,532,380 |
| University of Texas at Austin | $206,452,911 |
| Ohio State University | $220,727,583 |
| University of Michigan | $188,523,269 |
| University of Florida | $162,111,890 |
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College sports are profitable for a few top institutions, but most public universities rely on subsidies from the administration as only 24 out of 250 athletic programs ended last year with a profit. FBS schools spend over $91,000 per athlete per year, while the average student only costs $13,000 leading to subsidies often being paid for by student fees, meaning non-athletic students are essentially funding their school’s sports teams.
There are other points of view available on the Internet
In 2018, roughly $18.1 billion was spent on athletics across all three NCAA divisions in more than 1,100 schools. However, the total revenue generated was $10.3 billion, leaving nearly $8 billion that had to be subsidized by other sources. $6.5 billion came from institutional and government support, and $1.5 billion came from student fees. Athletic departments spend far more per athlete than institutions spend to educate the average student, typically three to six times as much.
At the more than 1,100 schools across all three NCAA divisions, roughly $18.1 billion was spent on athletics in 2018. Why it matters: The total revenue generated was $10.3 billion, leaving nearly $8 billion that had to be subsidized by other sources — $6.5 billion from institutional and government support and $1.5 billion from student fees.
This brief2highlights recent trends in athletic and academic spending at public Division I colleges and universities between 2005 and 2010, which show that: Athletic departments spend far more per athlete than institutions spend to educate the average student—typically three to six times as much; among Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) institutions, median athletic spending was nearly $92,000 per athlete in 2010, while median…