re: So women’s basketball lost almost 8 mil last year?

Yes, golf, track, volleyball, etc lose money and can’t be expected to make money at the college level. Essentially there is cost of scholarships, travel, equipment, coaches, etc. with the offsetting ticket revenue and perhaps some small sponsorship being minimal.
Difference between those sports and women’s basketball is WBB thinks of itself as being at the level financially of men’s basketball and demands exorbitant expenses as if it were. It would be as if the golf team insisted and received first class travel accommodations, unlimited support staff and million dollar coaches. But again, it serves as a $7-10m insurance policy for TItle 9 lawsuits