Power 4 Leaders Must Act Before College Athletics Becomes Unsustainable
Preview:
Emotion-driven spending on coaches, facilities, and player compensation has put college athletics on an unsustainable financial path, with very few programs able to show a positive balance sheet without institutional subsidies. Virginia Tech president and NCAA Division I Board chair Tim Sands calls on Power Four presidents and chancellors to use their authority to enforce spending guardrails, support the House settlement, rein in booster collectives, and protect the student-athlete model before the system collapses under its own weight.
Originally published: March 26, 2026
Author: Tim Sands
Position: President
Institution: Virginia Tech
Published by: Inside Higher Ed