College Sports Are Broken—And It's Time to Fix Them

When College Sports Became a Business

I've spent the last several months digging into the financial operations of college athletics—particularly at major universities—and what I found is both shocking and deeply troubling. What began as a way to foster school spirit, build community, and provide educational opportunities has morphed into a massive industry driven by money, power, and corporate interests.

What we're seeing today isn't just about games—it's about how institutions treat their students like commodities. The revenue generated from college sports is staggering. In 2023 alone, the NCAA reported over $1 billion in revenue from its March Madness tournament, much of which comes directly from athletic programs. But while universities rake in millions in endorsements and TV deals, student-athletes are often left behind—sometimes without even a stipend that covers basic living costs.

"The NCAA's business model is built on the backs of unpaid laborers, and it's time we stop pretending otherwise."

It's no secret that college athletes are underpaid, overworked, and often overlooked by their own institutions. For many of these young people, who come from low-income backgrounds, this system isn't just unfair—it's a trap. And yet, we continue to accept it as normal.

Corporate Greed at the Expense of Education

When universities began partnering with major corporations and media networks to monetize college sports, they opened the door to a new era of exploitation. These partnerships don't just bring in cash—they shape the culture of athletics itself. We've seen how powerful conferences like the Big Ten and SEC use their influence to push for higher TV deals and bigger scholarships, all while failing to provide adequate academic support or mental health resources.

The financial stakes are high. The top 10 athletic programs in the country generate more revenue than many small colleges do in total. Yet these institutions often don't invest that money into improving student education, but instead use it to fund lavish facilities, celebrity coaches, and high-profile recruiting campaigns. In short, they're treating education like a side hustle rather than their core mission.

And let's not pretend this is just happening at the top level. Even Division II and III schools are caught up in the system, pressured to match bigger conferences' budgets or risk losing legitimacy. This has created an environment where athletic departments are prioritized over academic ones, with students being expected to balance training and competition while maintaining their studies.

Student Athletes Are Being Used Without Fair Compensation

One of the most glaring injustices in college athletics is how student-athletes are treated. They're not employees—they're not even contractors—but they perform labor that generates millions in revenue. Their names, images, and likenesses (NIL) are used without consent or compensation. This means a student can be featured in a major endorsement deal for a company, but they don't get a dime of the profits.

While the NCAA has recently started to allow NIL opportunities, it's still largely an unregulated space where athletes must navigate legal issues and negotiate with agents who may not have their best interests at heart. Many students are left confused, vulnerable, and without guidance on how to manage their newfound financial exposure.

In some cases, these NIL deals have become a way for schools to avoid paying student-athletes directly by pushing them toward private contracts. It's a subtle form of exploitation that keeps students in the dark while allowing institutions to claim they're doing more for their athletes than they actually are.

The Role of Media and Fan Culture

College sports fan culture has played its part in perpetuating this broken system. We've all seen it—students proudly wearing their school gear, cheering from the stands, and buying tickets to games, not realizing that these events are funded by a business model that leaves many players behind.

The media, too, plays a role. By focusing on wins and losses, on star players, and on the drama of competition, the narrative often ignores the real costs of this system. Instead of asking how student-athletes are being supported, we're more focused on who's winning and who's losing.

This fan-driven culture makes it harder for people to question the status quo. It's easier to be excited about a team's victory than to scrutinize the labor practices behind that win. But that excitement comes at a price—students are paying for it with their mental health, academic performance, and future opportunities.

What Needs to Change

We can't wait for the NCAA or college administrators to fix this problem on their own. The system has been designed to protect the interests of those at the top—owners, coaches, and wealthy donors—while leaving student-athletes with little recourse.

First, there needs to be true compensation for athletes, whether through scholarships, stipends, or wage structures that reflect their contribution to university revenue. We also need better legal protections around NIL rights and more oversight on how athletic departments operate.

Secondly, universities must re-evaluate their priorities. If education is truly the goal, then athletics should support that mission—not undermine it. That means investing in academic services, mental health resources, and ensuring student-athletes are getting a quality education, not just a ticket to fame.

Finally, we need accountability from the media and fans who help sustain this system. It's time to stop glorifying exploitation and start demanding transparency and justice for those who play the games that make us rich.

A Call to Action

College sports are at a crossroads. We can continue down the current path, where profits drive everything and students remain invisible, or we can demand change that puts people first. The choice is ours—and it's long overdue.