The Rising Price Tag for Tar Heel Athletics Posted Feb 15, 2018 As the costs of college athletics continue to rise, perhaps the only thing keeping pace is the anxiety about being able to cover them. It's a burden that North Carolina officials meet head-on. The total operating expenses for UNC's athletic department rose again in 2016-17, reaching $96.5 million. UNC's operating expenses were about $83.5 million three years ago. (Inside Carolina)