Posted on October 31, 2009

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University Presidents Think Current Athletics Spending Unsustainable, Report Finds

University presidents at institutions with major football programs believe that current spending trends with respect to intercollegiate athletics cannot be sustained nationally and that collective action is needed to address escalating costs, a new report from the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics finds.

Based on a survey of Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division 1A) university presidents, the report, College Sports 101: A Primer on Money, Athletics, and Higher Education in the Twenty-First Century (18 pages, PDF), found that the subsidies provided by most FBS institutions to their athletic departments are rising faster than universities' educational budgets.

Although two-thirds of respondents said they view their own programs as sustainable, 48 percent expressed concern that the current economic outlook would affect the number of varsity sports their institution can support in the future. A large majority (85 percent) of respondents also said they feel compensation is excessive for football and basketball coaches and view that compensation as the greatest impediment to athletic program sustainability.

While university presidents recognized the need for reform, there was no clear consensus about the best way to effect change. Nearly three-quarters of respondents said they believe that athletics present unique challenges compared to other areas when trying to control costs on their own campus. And a majority said they believe institutions of higher education must act collectively to address escalating athletic costs.

"The presidential research findings are eye-opening and raise concerns, but I am encouraged that we find ourselves in an environment ready for change," said Knight Commission co-chair William E. "Brit" Kirwan, chancellor of the University System of Maryland. "The commission will deliberate over the next several months before issuing specific recommendations early next year."

“Most University Presidents Agree Current Athletics Spending is Unsustainable.” John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Press Release 10/26/09.

Primary Subject: Athletics/Sports
Secondary Subject(s): Higher Education
Location(s): National

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