[Montana_Sam]

I really wonder if it would be a good thing if big-time sports were banished from campuses, and colleges could then get back into the business of educating young people instead?

Agreed. Move big-league athletics off-campus to a totally community-sponsored venue. Make the teams legally into what they are de facto right now - farm clubs.

[wintertime]

Agreed. Move big-league athletics off-campus to a totally community-sponsored venue. Make the teams legally into what they are de facto right now - farm clubs.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The same is true for high school teams. They are tax-supported farm teams!

I suspect that one of several factors for consolidating high schools ( since the 1960s) into huge factories was largely due to the push by parents for awarding winning football and basketball teams.