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The Money Behind March Madness: Finances Fueling Top College Teams
Basketball teams’ financial health is more important than ever as schools can now pay their student-athletes.
The Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Photographer: Mike Carlson/Getty ImagesThe best college basketball teams in the nation all have one thing in common: They’re housed at universities with powerful financial resources.
School finances are taking center court for both the men and women’s brackets in this year's National Collegiate Athletic Association March Madness tournaments. Running a successful athletics program now costs more than ever, with student athletes earning cuts of department revenue and some raking in millions in advertising deals.