You like to think of the athletic department as a private business, which of course it isn't, even though it sells things. It is, after all, the entertainment division of the larger conglomerate, which is purportedly in the business of selling higher education, which people also must purchase, just like football tickets. That, however, does not make it private, either. If it were, imagine the property taxes.

Both gentlemen work for public entities. Both are relatively young professionals with master's degrees, apparent bright futures and equally impressive earning potentials. Both are accountable to boards, though in different ways. Both manage very large budgets in the public sector. One is compensated ridiculously well, and the other not so much by comparison. Market forces explain and determine the difference. It would seem to be in the county's best interest to retain a top executive who's doing exemplary work.