Which is a criticism of college athletics?

• A. Over-commercialization
• B. Underfunding
• C. Lack of media attention
• D. Absence of recruitment scandals

Answer: (A)

The main idea being tested is how commercialization affects college athletics and why it’s seen as a criticism. In many programs, the push to generate revenue—through TV contracts, sponsorships, branding, and top-tier facilities—shapes decisions, coaching salaries, and recruiting. This emphasis on profit and visibility can feel at odds with amateur ideals, academic focus, and student-athlete welfare, which is why over-commercialization is commonly cited as a major critique.

Why this choice fits best: It directly points to the growing money-driven aspect of college sports and its contested impact on education and student-athlete experience. It captures the tension between athletics as a campus endeavor and athletics as a business enterprise, which is the core criticism people raise.

Why the other options don’t fit as the main criticism: Underfunding suggests a lack of money, which is not the typical complaint about college athletics at the systemic level since revenue sports drive ample funding in many programs. Lack of media attention is not accurate given the heavy coverage college sports receive. Absence of recruitment scandals isn’t a real concern; in fact, recruitment scandals are one of the criticisms often discussed, so the idea that there’s an absence of such issues doesn’t align with common critiques.