For example, the post regarding "a drop in the bucket.."
That is irrelevant. All that matters is how the money could otherwise be spent. Even if BYU spends $20 a year on BYU football, you have to explain to a poor member in the Philippines or some ALUF in SLC why their tithing is going towards a purpose that is not considered sacred. You can tell a member in the Philippines that their money goes to build chapels, support missionary efforts, print book of Mormons, maintain temples, seminary, or even for an online social media campaign designed to increase the footprint of the church, and they won't complain.

But tell them that they are going to buy a football helmet for a player or a smoothie machine in the locker room and you will get some big push back.

It's not an issue of not having enough money, it's an issue of where else the money could be spent.