As of 8:10am this morning one of the finer programs in the country is lost due to "budgetary" problems.
No one saw it coming and they just recently signed some top level recruits that gave them one of the top 3 recruiting classes in the country.
Parents
Former Member
I think college athletics in general faces some big problems. The gap between the haves and have-nots is widening. The money involved in football and basketball is staggering - mostly because of TV. Those two sports are industries on their own. Football consumes the most scholarships by far, the most expense, and generates the most revenue for most schools. But football is not always profitable.
Like it or not - those two sports are also the ones the student body of most universities enjoys the most. These sports generate the most school spirit, the most national attention, etc.
Sit in a suite at (very long name) Texas' stadium and you will see how serious this money is. These suites are 650 sq. ft, have private bathrooms, catering, and electrically operated windows to allow the spectators to participate (or not). Burnt orange leather (!) upholstery. Schools are spending like mad on facilities and more to generate ever-more attention and revenue.
I will never begrudge what people do with their money. I mean the donors that help fund all this. But many universities have no ability to keep up with Texas and Ohio St, the two biggest spenders in the NCAA. Yet they are trying to compete on the field which needs money for facilities and crazy salaries for coaches.
These schools have a huge financial advantage over others. Texas can afford to fund other sports very well and still deal with Title IX.
I don't know how - but I'd like the NCAA to take some gutsy steps to reign in the arms race.
I think college athletics in general faces some big problems. The gap between the haves and have-nots is widening. The money involved in football and basketball is staggering - mostly because of TV. Those two sports are industries on their own. Football consumes the most scholarships by far, the most expense, and generates the most revenue for most schools. But football is not always profitable.
Like it or not - those two sports are also the ones the student body of most universities enjoys the most. These sports generate the most school spirit, the most national attention, etc.
Sit in a suite at (very long name) Texas' stadium and you will see how serious this money is. These suites are 650 sq. ft, have private bathrooms, catering, and electrically operated windows to allow the spectators to participate (or not). Burnt orange leather (!) upholstery. Schools are spending like mad on facilities and more to generate ever-more attention and revenue.
I will never begrudge what people do with their money. I mean the donors that help fund all this. But many universities have no ability to keep up with Texas and Ohio St, the two biggest spenders in the NCAA. Yet they are trying to compete on the field which needs money for facilities and crazy salaries for coaches.
These schools have a huge financial advantage over others. Texas can afford to fund other sports very well and still deal with Title IX.
I don't know how - but I'd like the NCAA to take some gutsy steps to reign in the arms race.
