(This is an op/ed by N.C. State Senator Tim Moffitt, whose district includes Henderson, Polk and Rutherford counties.)
By Tim Moffitt
As a state senator representing the hardworking people of North Carolina, I’ve always believed in the value of college sports. They’ve brought pride to our communities, boosted our economy, and enriched the educational experience at our universities. From the roar of the crowd at Appalachian State when they slay a football giant to the excitement of basketball in Wilmington, athletics have been a unifying force.
But let’s be honest: the spending in college athletics has spiraled out of control, turning what should be a sustainable pursuit into an unsustainable arms race. Our universities are locked in a never-ending competition to outspend one another — building lavish facilities, offering multimillion-dollar coaching contracts, and now, with name, image, and likeness deals, paying players sums that rival professional salaries.
This isn’t just about keeping up; it’s an unquenchable thirst for “more” that permeates higher education, but hits hardest in athletics. The result? The average North Carolinian, the blue-collar worker who pays taxes and cheers from afar, is priced out. Tickets to games at our flagship universities are unaffordable for most families, and even if you can scrape together the money, good luck getting seats—wealthy donors have locked in lifetime rights, turning public institutions into exclusive clubs.
I have no issue with donors shelling out millions to enjoy the thrill of victory. That’s their prerogative in a free market. But it’s not the role of the taxpayer — the mechanic in Asheville, the teacher in Greensboro, or the farmer in the East — to subsidize this extravagance. And now, with players entering the millionaire class, the burden grows heavier.
Our state has real, pressing needs that demand every dollar: rebuilding after devastating hurricanes and floods, properly providing appropriate levels of health care, repairing crumbling roads and bridges, addressing overcrowding in our prisons. In the wake of recent disasters that have left families homeless and communities shattered, the idea of diverting more tax dollars to college sports isn’t just misguided — it’s irresponsible.
Where does this end? Trees don’t grow to the sky, and neither should our public funding for what is essentially entertainment. Universities argue they must spend to stay competitive, and I get that. But competitiveness in sports is their institutional priority, not a basic human need like education, safety, or infrastructure. It’s certainly not a core service that should be propped up by taxpayer money. We’ve seen this play out across the country: escalating costs lead to higher tuition, bigger deficits, and ultimately, a system that benefits the elite while squeezing everyone else.
It’s time for our universities to get creative and look inward. Monetize through innovative partnerships, enhanced broadcasting deals, or alumni-driven initiatives that don’t rely on the public purse. Encourage donors to fund your new ideas. I can not, in good conscience, vote for anything that forcefully takes more money from our working families to fund this largess.
North Carolina’s institutions are world-class; they can lead by example in fiscal responsibility, ensuring sports remain a boon, not a burden. In these challenging times, let’s prioritize the needs of all North Carolinians over the wants of a few. Our state deserves better than an endless spending spiral — it’s time to call a timeout on taxpayer-funded excess in college athletics.
(Moffitt served in the N.C. House from 2010 to 2015, then 2021 to 2022. That year, he was elected to the N.C. Senate. He won a second term in 2024. He is a management consultant.)
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