[maxerickson]

Coach pay at major conference schools is not a cost that students see. For instance, the Pac 12 has a 12 year, $3 billion TV deal. $250 million per year over 12 schools is $20 million per school. And they also have things like ticket revenue (tens of millions for football alone).

http://www.bruinsnation.com/2011/5/4/2153940/breaking-down-t...

I think it's a bad joke that they are called amateur student athletes, but it isn't costing other students money.

[dudifordMann]

Right... so... if the coach is payed say less, than... could the students see a decrease in their tuition bill as the funds for the coach have freed up? Now, I am terrible at evaluating worth, especially for things as potentially complex as leading a sports team (was success due to the athletes? strategies? leadership? etc. Similarly for failure), but if Nick Saban is making 7.09 per year at Alabama, with a student population of 36k, the full salary divided by the population would be about $196 per year, which I am sure a student would love to see. (obviously my math is assuming full salary liquidation which is not realistic).

[LanceH]

Finances for Div 1: http://sports.usatoday.com/ncaa/finances/

Most athletic depts are subsized and this is just division 1. There are obviously a few winners here, but mostly losers and definitely a net loss.

Having been around that environment, it's just amazing how much money is being thrown around. The whole athletic budget is a giant slush fund, but they're just taking the lead from the university as a whole.