August 17, 2026
College sports are in a deep, rapid dive toward ruin.
Universities are spending tens of millions of dollars annually simply to remain competitive -- often borrowing money or diverting resources that should otherwise support education, student services, endowments and student-athlete well-being. Non-revenue, women’s, and Olympic sports are being eliminated because an overwhelming share of this money is flowing into football and men’s basketball.
At the same time, litigation is running rampant. Courts, rather than university presidents and athletic administrators, are increasingly deciding who can play, how long they can play, and where they can play. Different jurisdictions produce different outcomes, creating a system in which the rules can depend on where a case is heard. In many instances, a form of “hometown” bias appears to be in play.