<p>Katliamom, very few college sports actually bring in much money and most of them lose money. If your theory were correct, football and basketball players would be the only ones who were given a “leg up” because those are typicaly the only sports that make any amount of money directly. </p>
<p>I realize that there is some thought that alumni donations increase as a result of successful sports programs but I don’t think there is much data to support that. </p>
<p>[Flutie</a> effect | Free exchange | Economist.com](<a href=“Flutie effect”>Flutie effect)</p>
<p>Alumother, thanks for posting that. Athletes need all the love they can get on this forum :)</p>