A Look into the Finances of Major College Sports Programs

Student-athletes at major Division I-A colleges and universities do more than attend classes, practices, and compete against other teams. They generate revenue. Intercollegiate sports have developed into a highly specialized, multi-million dollar entertainment industry that rides on the shoulders of student-athletes. This industry has in turn resulted in substantial rewards for big time athletic programs and the NCAA. According to an NCAA survey conducted in 1998, sixty-seven percent of Division I-A football programs showed an average profit of $3.9 million with many of the largest programs far exceeding that figure (Netzley). Add in revenue from other sports and the NCAA took in $267 million in 1997-1998 (NCAA).

Universities do not hide the importance they place on successful sports programs. In 1997, Steve Spurrier, head football coach at the University of Florida, signed a six-year contract that averaged $2 million per year. In addition to his $2 million annual salary, Spurrier was given two new cars, a generous clothing allowance and 24 prime tickets for each Gators home game. The deal also included incenti

Blum, Deborah. "Learning the Agents' Game: New Rules set to Protect Athletes Still in School."

Opponents of the pay for play concept site college tuition as payment enough and repeat the cliche "you can't put a price tag on a college education." I think you can. At most major colleges the average for a resident student is between $12,000 to $14,000 per year (Tarver). When university athletic departments are benefiting from these players, to the tune of millions of dollars, and the student-athletes are receiving only an education that they may or may not want, it just isn't enough. A scholarship is nice, but it doesn't pay the bills for many of these players.

Student-athletes endure countless hours of practice and athletic competition to earn pride, respect, and most importantly, money for their respective schools. Unfortunately, these athletes are taken out of the equation when it comes time to distribute the revenue generated by their athletic programs. Of the $267 million in revenue made by the NCAA in 1998, over 85 percent, or $228 million, were returned in dollars to the athletic programs yet none of this money goes to the athletes themselves (NCAA). The time has come for these students to be compensated.

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Approximate Word count = 1156
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)