Note that a lot of clubs do profit from athletics too. Here and where I grew up often worked concessions and raised a LOT of money for their club. Some community groups got in on it too.
I really do think that it is a shame that we value sports heros more than those that make the honor roll and that teachers don't make what they should be worth. Yes, priorties are out of whack.
But this is a capitalist society and supply will be dicated by demand. If starting pay for a teacher is $35k with no glory and the minimum wage in the Big Leagues is $250k with perks, groupies and adulation, which field do we expect people to aim for?
It really is a shame that some people have such a limited view of sports and athletes. Athletics teach so many other lessons for life.
While it is true that some peak at 18, there are others who continue on participating on a recreational level and also achieve academically.
Astronauts, for example, are not only academics, but athletes as well.
And my favorite example is General Patton. Decathlete/warrior.