Nice perspective from whoever wrote that quote kstuart. For starters the $1.10 per sub is the ''sticker price'' for the channel according to the BTN. By all accounts the actual number is much lower.
Diverting money from scholars to athletes? This is a common misconception. Most, if not all, division 1 athletic scholarships are funded 100 percent by DONATION. Not tuition fees, not state taxes.
As far as vacuuming $$ from citizens, well, division 1 college sports brings is hugely popular and generates a lot of tv revenue. Where would you like to see the money go? ESPN?