a 1,000 times over that BYU sports are seen as missionary tools for the broader objective of church exposure. In fact, I believe a number of leaders have referred to the football program as one of the biggest missionary tools.

Don’t use tithing money, sure.

But the church has endless resources and cash that comes from other places. They would not hesitate in the slightest to fund any aspect of the missionary program.

So either it’s a missionary tool or it isn’t. If you really believe it is.. then it’s in your best interest to always have a top notch program.

Btw... I probably don’t feel this way and would argue to keep it self-funded we’re it not for City Creek. Church dumped billions (BILLIONS) into that project to create a downtown area that would attract people to the temple area. If they can use church investment funds to spend billions on a mall (a freaking mall... the very definition of commercial worldliness)... but can’t help BYU sports during a pandemic and instead push donors - hmm, not sure I can get behind that logic.

I’m happy to donate because I love and get a lot out of BYU sports... but I think the church talks out of both sides of their mouth when you consider other places they’ve spent massive funds.