Impact of College Sports Spending on Olympic Programs
Spending on college football and basketball programs is threatening to cut funding for numerous Olympic and other non-revenue sports, putting the United States’ future Olympic success at risk.
Recently, two significant bills were introduced in Congress aimed at bolstering the NCAA and shielding it from litigation while also trying to protect non-revenue sports vital for nurturing Olympic talent. It’s an interesting time, really, as college sports seem to be at a pivotal point.
The ongoing spending battle took off when college football and basketball programs started investing heavily to maintain their competitive edge, especially with changes introduced by NIL regulations. Despite some shifts in the landscape of college athletics, one thing stays true: the revenue from football and basketball typically supports other sports within an athletic department.
However, things have changed. Football and basketball teams are now spending far more of their earnings, primarily due to skyrocketing salaries for players and coaches.
After a major lawsuit against the NCAA, which led to the NIL era, colleges were permitted to pay athletes up to $20.5 million. Unsurprisingly, nearly all of these funds have gone to football and basketball players. While some teams may have trimmed their rosters, the overall programs have generally remained intact.
Interestingly, that $20.5 million cap seems to be more of a starting line than a ceiling, with actual spending on college sports far exceeding this amount.
The increased financial allocation towards football and basketball has left less money for other sports. For instance, data from WRAL reveals that North Carolina State generated over $103 million in revenue from football and men’s basketball during the 2024-25 school year, while their expenses reached $66 million. Additionally, their football coach is earning a staggering $10 million a year.
In contrast, the university’s 26 other sports reported only $26 million in revenue against $48 million in expenses. This disparity is quite alarming, prompting questions about the sustainability of non-revenue sports.
Looking at the national level, over 415 college athletic programs have faced cuts, mergers, or reclassifications since March 2024, according to various reports. Particularly, more than 40 Division I Olympic sports programs were cut from May 2024 to July 2025, impacting sports like swimming, tennis, and track and field. For example, the University of Arkansas recently announced cuts to its men’s and women’s tennis teams due to financial reasons.
The repercussions for these cuts are significant, especially given that a considerable portion of Team USA’s Olympians—40% from the 2026 Winter Olympics—were either current or former NCAA athletes. The situation is even more dire for those competing in the Summer Games, where 65% of Team USA includes former or current NCAA participants.
The best chance for legislation to prevent a looming crisis for Olympic sports seems to hinge on the Cruz-Cantwell bill. This bipartisan initiative is designed to unify across party lines and address concerns stemming from the SCORE Act, which was previously shelved in the Senate.
Echoing the calls for action, President Trump, in an executive order aimed at “saving college sports,” emphasized the need for congressional intervention. He stated that the current chaotic environment is harming competition and compromising opportunities for student-athletes, with a particular focus on the impact on women’s and Olympic sports.
