Automatic comment whenever univerity athletic programs are brought up. "It makes money", with the implication "..therefore it is all good" not even spelled out.

The original intent was to offer a well-rounded education that includes physical activity. Healthy body healthy mind. Nerds who are also in shape. This concept is lost by creating a pro athlete caste within a school, students more respected for their success on the field than in the classroom. Maybe sports is truly subsidizing academics, but then again if 280 Million are spent on this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQIGwxsVv1E, is there enough institutional focus on academics?

Ok correct me if I'm ignorant on this topic but give me more than that oneliner that I've read a couple times before.

Serious, directly measurable money for the school. If I graduate with a degree and that degree gets me a career that goes exceedingly well and I become a 10 or 100-millionaire, and donate money for a lab to the university, that's not exactly trackable to that one really good professor. Meanwhile, the coach who won the big game is well known.

Why does this matter if most of the money is going to the sports program and tuition remains unaffordable?