The Univ. of Florida Athletic Association’s BOD passed a $128.2M budget yesterday, which is an "increase of almost" $6M over last year’s budget, according to Pat Dooley of the GAINESVILLE SUN. The budget includes $117M in operating expenses for FY '17-18. It also includes operating expenses of more than $29M of support services. UF also is receiving $6M, which is "going entirely to football and football related costs, in a royalty revenue for its Sept. 2 game against Michigan at AT&T Stadium." Also approved were LED ribbon boards "wrapping the fascia of the end zones" at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, "plus additional stadium scoreboards and drink rails in the end zones" (GAINESVILLE SUN, 6/13). In Orlando, Edgar Thompson notes the budget shows revenues of $82.55M in football, $13.48M in men’s basketball and $3.19M in other sports. UF also will receive $1.7M from its revenue-sharing deal with IMG. Among other improvements, UF also will "install a 3D arena projection system for $350,000" at Exactech Arena. The school "rented the system for $25,000 and used it to immediate fanfare Feb. 4 during the pregame introductions prior to UF’s 88-66 win against Kentucky." The system will be "featured during select games, and also can be used for women's basketball games, gymnastics meets and volleyball matches" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 6/13).
