"The GAO estimates that the median college contribution to sports programs per undergraduate student was about $8,500 over the course of a four-year degree. Much of this money, GAO said, was “funded by tuition and fees paid by students,” which “indirectly include federal funds students receive in federal student aid to pay their tuition and fees.”"

College sports (and their athletes) also benefit from enormous tax subsidies. Revenue from ticket sales and TV broadcasts are exempt from federal tax. Colleges don’t pay property tax on stadiums, which are typically built with tax-exempt bonds. Many states are allocating more taxpayer dollars to public universities so they can recruit players, lest their schools fall behind in the bidding wars

My concern is the general population doesn't share the same passion for college sports as those of us here on the board

Ironically, in an attempt by congress and others to 'save' college sports ... the process itself is exposing economic realities that many taxpayers were likely unaware of and may very well shift public opinion from saving college sports to an era of greater accountability & fiscal responsibility for all stakeholders

How does 'average Joe taxpayer' relate to college students making a couple hundred thousand dollars/year tax-free?

My fear is that congress will win the battle but ultimately lose the war