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!
I don’t deny your point but the major schools in the Power 5 conferences are self financing, in fact at UF the Athletic Department made contributions to the University in the neighborhood of several million dollars, outside of the Power 5 conferences most schools operate at a loss