As of this year college athletes can be paid the QB at Alabama reportedly made over 1 million this past year
Here’s a recent article about the new SEC network television contract which estimates each school will receive approximately 68 million per year in revenue combine that with booster contributions and conservatively that equals close 150-175 million per year before a single ticket is sold
https://www.bestcolleges.com/news/analysis/2020/11/20/do-college-sports-make-money/
Who's correct?
I can't absolutely say what's correct.
However my gut says if there's a chance that state institutions (i.e., colleges & universities) and professional sport grand-poobahs can pass costs to taxpayers they will do it!