With major college sports programs collectively generating billions in revenue each year, private investors are looking to get a piece of the action.
Click here to read the story at cnbc.com.
Discussion Questions:
Revenue:
- What is revenue, and why is it critical to the financial stability of a college sports program?
- How do college sports programs generate revenue? What do you think is the most valuable revenue stream for most programs?
- According to this report, what are the top three most valuable college sports programs? Did any of them surprise you? Why or why not?
- What factors might influence the value of these programs?
NIL:
- What are Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights, and how have recent changes in NIL policies affected student-athletes and college sports programs?
- Discuss the significance of the recent $2.8 billion settlement between the NCAA and student-athletes regarding NIL compensation. How might this reshape the landscape of college athletics?
Leadership in Sports:
- Why is leadership important in sports?
- How are college sports leaders, such as coaches and athletic directors, along with leadership at the NCAA, guiding the evolving landscape of athlete compensation and commercialization?
Paradox of Commercialism:
- What is commercialism, and how do you describe the paradox of commercialism in sports and entertainment?
- How might the shifting landscape of college football represent an example of the paradox of commercialism?
- Do you believe that the increasing commercialization of college sports aligns with the educational mission of universities? What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of this trend?
- As students, do you think the commercialization of college sports is beneficial or detrimental to the overall college experience? How does it impact student-athletes, non-athlete students, and the university community as a whole?