The average Final Four basketball player has an estimated fair market value of $846,172 but lives about $2256 below the federal poverty line, incurrs a $3911 scholarship shortfall, and has a 51% graduation rate.
The NCPA-Drexel University Department of Sport Management extended its "Price of Poverty" Study to include an updated analysis of this year's Final Four teams. The findings show an extreme disparity among the benefits received by Final Four basketball players and their coaches. The average Final Four basketball player has an estimated fair market value of $846,172 but lives about $2256 below the federal poverty line, incurrs a $3911 scholarship shortfall, and has a 51% graduation rate. Meanwhile their coaches enjoy an average annual pay of $4,172,101. This match-up is rigged from the start - the coaches remain the undisputed champs of the NCAA Final Four...
Kansas Basketball Players:
Fair Market Value: $443,689
Live $3734 below the federal poverty line
Have a $4294 scholarship shortfall (out-of-pocket educational-related expenses)
Graduation Rate: 63%
Kansas Basketball Coach:
Bill Self Total Pay: $3,633,657
Ohio State Basketball Players:
Fair Market Value: $654,646
Live $338 below the federal poverty line
Have a $4752 scholarship shortfall (out-of-pocket educational-related expenses)
Graduation Rate: 50%
Ohio State Basketball Coach:
Thad Matta Total Pay: $2,854,000
Kentucky Basketball Players:
Fair Market Value: $713,740
Live $1170 below the federal poverty line
Have a $2240 scholarship shortfall (out-of-pocket educational-related expenses)
Graduation Rate: 53%
Kentucky Basketball Coach:
John Calipari Total Pay: $5,387,978
Louisville Basketball Players:
Fair Market Value: $1,572,613
Live $3730 below the federal poverty line
Have a $4356 scholarship shortfall (out-of-pocket educational-related expenses)
Graduation Rate: 36%
Louisville Basketball Coach:
Rick Pitino Total Pay: $4,812,769