W. Scott McGill, Adobe Stock College sports aren’t all fun and games. They come at a real cost to students and taxpayers, draining financial resources and undermining the collegiate atmosphere. At many UNC campuses, athletics departments rely heavily on student fees and institutional support.
Additionally, highly competitive, demanding athletic commitments consume hours of athletes’ time and energy, leaving little room for academics. Division I institutions try, but often fail, to reconcile two opposing goals: win big games and provide students with an affordable, exceptional education. By reviewing financial and academic data, this report explores why schools often cannot have both.
Sports come at a cost, yes, but how much exactly are North Carolinians and students paying for athletics? How do these costs vary by campus? This report analyzes those questions, urging policymakers and university leaders to confront them. Key findings include:
- Many athletics departments are heavily subsidized by their universities and the government.
- At most UNC System institutions, students shoulder a heavy financial burden for athletics through mandatory fees.
- At least five universities treat nonresident student-athletes as resident students, which gives them access to more taxpayer dollars.
- Top college sports teams offer staggering coach salaries and commit to sizable buyouts in their contracts.
- Despite the resources poured into athletics, student-athletes graduate at dismal rates.
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Author
Shannon Watkins
