re: Found on the OT: Highest paid public employees by state

quote:

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athletic departments at 99 major schools lost an average of $5 million once you take out revenue generated from "student fees" and "university subsidies." If you take out "contributions and donations"—some of which might have gone to the universities had they not been lavished on the athletic departments—this drops to an average loss of $17 million, with just one school (Army) in the black.

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Yeah, now you're talking about the entire athletic department. I know this isn't a popular thought, but athletic departments lose money because most sports are not profitable... Especially female sports.

Big time football programs make money, as do some basketball programs. I believe only a select few college baseball programs are profitable. Many (perhaps most) of coaches represented on your map are from football/basketball programs that are profitable.

You really do have to spend money on coaching, facilities, etc. to maintain a big time football program, and it's profitability.