> What does this mean? I meant, the reason college sports are such a big deal in America is that they've been growing for decades with the support of tuition,

> What does this mean? I meant, the reason college sports are such a big deal in America is that they've been growing for decades with the support of tuition, donations, etc -- which is due to the perverse state of American university system. It didn't necessarily have to end up like this, but it would be hard to undo it now because it has become so important to so many people.