Do big-time college athletics pay for themselves?

[GA Russell]

I have often been told by friends that big-time college athletics, particularly football and basketball, pay the bills for the entire athletic department, with money left over going to pay for research, etc.; and that the teams lead to significantly greater sums of alumni contributions (as well as increased freshman applications).

Here is an interesting new Reason Magazine article which cites a number of studies which show that that just isn't true. Big-time college athletics are a financial drain on the student body and (regarding state schools) the taxpayers.

http://reason.com/archives/2013/04/03/forget-rutgers-coach-mike-rice-college-s