My opinion is that this problem began a long time ago, when colleges learned they could make big money from athletics. Then broadcast radio and TV networks started making big money too. And advertisers, local business people, large corporations, etc. The whole thing got so big that it distorted the incentives of our tertiary educational system, even extending down to the high school level. That's not the only process distorting our educational system, obviously, but these monetary sums are now huge and tend to work contradictory to the ostensible goals of higher education, IMO.
I don't have answers at this point, but I would not be upset if organized athletics in America were de-emphasized at every level, particularly the "amateur" level to include colleges and universities. I don't think that will happen voluntarily, but it's likely coming for involuntary reasons sooner or later.
. I think it’s going to work out though.
