Myths About College Sports

MYTHS ABOUT COLLEGE SPORTS In April of 2010, the NCAA signed a $10.8 billion TV contract with CBS to air March Madness. Those are big bucks. But while executives and coaches get rich, somehow the myth has been perpetuated that college sports are merely for the benefit of the athlete - who never sees a cent from his or her work. Indeed, the world of college sports is plagued by dangerous myths. Here are 8 of the most common. MYTH 1 %24 College sports programs are incredibly profitable. Actually, they tend to lose money. In 2009: The median FBS school lost $10 million on its sports program. In fact, only 14 of the 120 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools made more money than they lost on their ath- letics programs - down from 25 in 2008. MYTH 2 College sports pay for themselves. 2 of top sports schools rely on at least $9 million in 2009 PUBLIC UNIVERSSITY REV ENUE: Sports don't even factor largely into college and university revenues. subsidies from the school and government to balance their budgets - fees payed largely by students and taxpayers. 27% 17% Tuition and Fees Grants and Contracts Sales and Services of Auxilliary Enterprises Sales and Services of Hospitals Independent Operations Other Operating Revenues 33% 13% ATHLETIC REVENUE IS INCLUDED HERE, ALONG WITH ST UDENT HOUSING 1% FEES AND OTHER SOURCES. MYTH 3 Colleges spend equally on their students and student athletes. In reality: Spending per athlete is more than 6X spending per student. ATHLETES STUDENTS 17 AND SP ENDING ON ATHLETICS IS RISING WHILE ACADEMIC SPENDING REMAINS FLAT: Expense $90,000 O Athletics spending per $80,000 athlete $70,000 X Academic spending per $60,000 $50,000 student $40,000 $30,000 S20.000 $10,000 2005 2006 2007 2008 MYTH 4 Athletic scholarships Cover the full cost of college for student athletes Last year: The average athletic scholarship fell short of covering total school ex- penses by $3,222. НОРЕ REALITY Plus, schools can cut scholarships whenever they want to: From 2008 to 2009, 1 in 5 Division l b-ball players didn't see their scholarships renewed. MYTH 5 Colleges ensure that their athletes graduate It's not just superstars that jump to pro-ball that don't graduate. 31% of college football players never graduate. Only 2% are drafted to the NFL. 34% of college basketball players never graduate. Only 1% are drafted to the NBA. MYTH 6 Student athletes have options for making money from sports outside of school. 17 In fact: Student athletes are not even allowed to privately sell their jerseys, or trade memorabilia for services such as tattoos. In 2010: Royalties EA paid to NFL players for use of their likenesses in Madden 2011: WHEATO'S $35 Million 17 Royalties paid to NCAA football play- ers for use of their likenesses in NCAA Football 2011: CEREAL OF CHAMPIONS! $0 MYTH 7 The more schools spend on athletics, the more their teams win. In reality: There is no correlation between athletic spending and winning more. Since 1984: Professors' salaries have only grown 32% But football coaches' salaries at public schools have grown 750% to $2 million. MYTH 8 The more teams win, the better their schools do. In fact: Research has shown no significant ben- НОРЕ efits to schools from athletic success. Applications can increase 2-8% after success in football and basketball, but that effect quickly fades. REALITY WHAT THE NCAA SHOULO O: Allow student athletes to Put stricter standards Reel in overall athletic receive some portion of the money they generate. in place for academic spending, and reallocate success of athletes. some to academics. Student Athletes have career IAGT. options outside of professional sports. The NCAA awards nearly 200 postgraduate scholarships to athletes every year. If you feel that your undergraduate career has not adequately prepared you for the working world, ask your counselors about pursuing an advanced degree. 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