The same day LSU officials discussed gloom-and-doom budget and layoff scenarios, the LSU Board of Supervisors on Friday approved a bevy of pay raises, most within the athletic department.
The athletic program is able to enter the university sports market niche (part of the overall sports market, distinguished from the professional niche only by the ability to deny wages to the athletes*) by means of the LSU brand name, which has been built over the years by the staff and professors at LSU. Using that brand name, they can generate revenue directly from the public.**
This is the future for all university units, from research centers through academic departments: generate your own funds using the university brand name. The administration then becomes the franchising agent for each unit, allowing it access to the brand name in exchange for a percentage of the revenue.
Notes:
* Yes, yes, the athletes receive tuition and housing, etc. But let's be realistic.
** A good accountant would be able to show how much the athletic program benefits from public infrastructure, starting with Tiger Stadium.
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