[bigbob]

No one should have ANY doubt what motivated Paterno, Spanier, and all the rest of this sad lot - MONEY.

College football represents a multi-million dollar revenue stream that these universities could never replace. It is the most sacred of cows, how else can they tap huge alumni donors for world-class training facilities, luxury jock dorms, and NFL-caliber million-dollar coach salaries?

Here’s some data to prove it:

Rank School Total Revenue Conference
1st Texas $120,288,370 Big 12
2nd Ohio State $117,953,712 Big Ten
3rd Florida $106,030,895 Southeastern Conference
4th Michigan $99,027,105 Big Ten
5th Wisconsin $93,452,334 Big Ten
6th Penn State $91,570,233 Big Ten

As always...follow the money.

[jacquej]

Does anyone think that if the Mark Madden rumor is true, that there will be the mother of all cover-ups?

I am expecting exactly that.

I have lost faith in the “system”, completely and totally.

[Vigilanteman]

College football is much like the screen actor's guild in that a handful on top make a lot of money, those lower down on the pyramid are lucky to break even and those at the bottom see it as a financial sinkhole, but one necessary to advertise their brand.

There was an interesting article in our local fishwrap not too many months ago which explained that 6 in 7 college football programs actually lost money. I'll see if I can find it and post it.

[Vigilanteman]

Didn't find the specific article I was looking for in the local fishwrap, but I did find these:

Money woes could mean fewer college teams (April 2010).

Is college football doomed? (June 2011).

NCAA tourney awash in cash. (April 2010).

Paterno, PSU differ from many universities. (August 2011, VERY interesting in view of recent events>.

Paterno admits he broke rule. (June 2011).

Pigskin piggy bank. (January 2010).