The Indicator from Planet Money · September 30, 2026 · 9m

Is investing in sports worth it for universities?

Universities spend millions on athletics every year. This episode interrogates the 'Doug Flutie Effect'—the belief that sports victories boost applications and donations. The Indicator examines whether the investment truly pays off in measurable institutional returns.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Preview

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The Doug Flutie Effect

The episode scrutinizes the 'Doug Flutie Effect'—the idea that a big sports win causes a spike in college applications.

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