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Ferrets are Cool

(21,106 posts)
Mon Jan 1, 2018, 08:16 PM Jan 2018

Can anyone explain to me why

our tax dollars are used to "protect" college football coaches with State Troopers when those same colleges are making millions of dollars in profit from these games?

And Yes, I am a huge fan of college football, but this bothers me every time I see it.

Gregg Easterbrook, who used to write ESPN’s Tuesday Morning Quarterback column, frequently addressed this topic. He argued that coaches don’t in fact face any unusual security threat that isn’t adequately addressed by the general police presence at a game, and that having a personal escort is simply a way of letting the coach feel like a king, president, or some other official who legitimately requires a round-the-clock security detail. Easterbrook often extended this criticism beyond football, noting the many mid-level government officials (i.e. city council members, mayor’s wives, etc.) who had expensive taxpayer-funded personal security with little purpose other than to signal that the person is a VIP.

Easterbrook frequently noted that, especially at the NCAA Division I-A level, football coaches are used to always being the most important person in any room, with players and staff beholden to their every whim and a generally compliant media. Being able to parade through a stadium full of tens of thousands of people, escorted by four state troopers, only reinforces this.

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underpants

(182,774 posts)
1. Good question. I'd think it's what you say as well as having immediate response
Mon Jan 1, 2018, 08:25 PM
Jan 2018

especially after a game when God knows who is running by them (very often inebriated).

Coaches rarely get attacked or even anyone getting in their face (possibly because of the police presence) but players do. At least that's what I've heard. Some fans at some places are really out of control.

Ferrets are Cool

(21,106 posts)
3. Thank you for your answers....
Mon Jan 1, 2018, 08:39 PM
Jan 2018

still, why can't the universities use their OWN police personnel? They all have them.

marble falls

(57,077 posts)
4. The amounts are freaking obcene.....
Mon Jan 1, 2018, 10:13 PM
Jan 2018

Institution Name Total Revenue Total Expenses Net Revenue
1 University of Texas $109,400,688 $27,675,403 $81,725,285
2 University of Michigan $81,475,191 $23,061,374 $58,413,817
3 University of Georgia $77,594,300 $26,325,257 $51,269,043
4 University of Florida $74,820,287 $25,704,553 $49,115,734
5 Louisiana State University $74,275,838 $25,822,306 $48,453,532
6 University of Alabama $88,660,439 $41,558,058 $47,102,381
7 University of Notre Dame $78,349,132 $32,373,258 $45,975,874
8 University of Oklahoma $69,647,986 $24,533,905 $45,114,081
9 Auburn University $75,092,576 $36,306,282 $38,786,294
10 Ohio State University $61,131,726 $22,984,985 $38,146,741

http://smartycents.com/articles/college-football-revenue/

PoindexterOglethorpe

(25,848 posts)
5. I can't directly answer your question,
Mon Jan 1, 2018, 10:36 PM
Jan 2018

but I understand that contrary to common wisdom, college football programs don't make money. Nor do they bring in extra donations from alumni. Those two things have been pushed for years as a defense of expensive college football programs.

Just think about the schools that don't have football programs. Like MIT. Or CalTech. Or lots of small schools. Hmmm. They manage very well. Makes you wonder.

What really makes me wonder is the exploitation of the players.

doc03

(35,325 posts)
7. Why are our tax dollars used to build stadiums, fields and arenas for profesional
Mon Jan 1, 2018, 11:11 PM
Jan 2018

sports teams owned by billionaires?

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