High Country Times

Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg has formally requested an investigation into the impact of college sports spending on tuition and fees. In a letter addressed to Gene L. Dodaro, the Comptroller General of the United States, Walberg asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine how Division I and Division II schools' athletic spending affects educational costs.

Chairman Walberg highlighted in his letter that "In 2022, Division I colleges spent over $17 billion on intercollegiate athletics, according to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)… At the Division II level, colleges spent over $2 billion." He pointed out recent NCAA policy changes allowing student-athletes compensation for their name, image, and likeness (NIL), which could further influence spending pressures on institutions.

The letter also states: "[N]ew policies may put further pressure on schools to spend money on high-quality athletic programs to recruit and retain the best athletes." Walberg emphasized that federal student aid under Title IV of the Higher Education Act is meant to cover educational expenses. However, he expressed concern about how athletics funding might intersect with these resources.

Walberg seeks answers from GAO regarding several issues: how athletic programs are funded at these institutions; variations in student athletic fees; allocation of funding sources for expenses like coaches’ salaries and facilities; NIL compensation's effect on recruitment costs; oversight roles of the Department of Education; and financial aid strategies adapting to rising athletic program costs.