[ecshafer]

sports only pays for itself in a minority of highly successful schools, and even then typically only Football or Basketball. So sure Penn State and Auburn football pull a profit, but the vast majority do not. Last I checked on these, the number of schools was <20 that were profitable.

[wakawaka28]

You're wrong about that. See this for example: https://sports.usatoday.com/ncaa/finances

Not only is sports usually profitable on the surface but it draws donations and new students. Administrators aren't as stupid as you think.