Here’s a provocative op-ed as we wait to avidly watch multi-million-dollar coaches deploy semi-pro athletes in Baton Rouge today. It’s a suggestion on reducing the “arms race” and commercialization of college athletics. (I know — pipe dream.)
But in dreams, Congress could end tax deductions for contributions to athletics and thus end taxpayer subsidies for athletic scholarships, fancy football fields, etc. Also:
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If college presidents really wanted to halt the college sports machine, they could try two options. They could insist that athletic departments operate within their university budgets, like the English or biology departments; or they could ask Congress to rescind the tax breaks on the commercial income earned by athletic programs.