[Austroturf]

They like wins more than money. It’s a religion down there.

Yes, and those wins drive fan-following, which drives ratings, which drive $$$$$. The connection is too pure.  

Sometimes I have a bad conscience being such a strong devotee of NCAA football: it's such a racket.  The networks (above all, ESPN), the NCAA and the Power 5 conferences (above all, the SEC) are an unholy trinity squeezing maximum money out of the business.  I love the sport, but don't always enjoy the context it takes place in.

[Austroturf]

They like wins more than money. It’s a religion down there.

Yes, and those wins drive fan-following, which drives ratings, which drive $$$$$. The connection is too pure.  

Sometimes I have a bad conscience being such a strong devotee of NCAA football: it's such a racket.  The networks (above all, ESPN), the NCAA and the Power 5 conferences (above all, the SEC) are an unholy trinity squeezing maximum money out of the business.  I love the sport, but don't always enjoy the context it takes place in.