Penn State's football program made $41M in profits in FY '17, the largest source of athletics fundingGETTY IMAGES
Penn State AD Sandy Barbour said the athletic department "set an annual fundraising record," in '17, according to Mike Gross of LANCASTERONLINE.com. Barbour also said that $25M "has been raised" -- $7M in the last year -- toward "upgrading the Lasch Football Building." The "outdated condition of Lasch has been a point of contention for football coach James Franklin." The football program made $41M in profits in FY '17, creating "by far the largest source of athletic department operational funding." Barbour said that there has been "'huge progress' on phase one of the strategic plan for upgrading athletic facilities campus wide, a plan that will eventually include a renovation of Beaver Stadium." She also said that the limit for sales of football season tickets "has been met." Meanwhile, PSU last season "sold beer and wine in the Mount Nittany Club, a club-seat section of Beaver Stadium." Barbour said that she "expects that to continue, but not extend beyond the Mount Nittany Club." Barbour also said that there have been "informal talks" between her and the school about a contract extension. Her deal runs through August '19 (LANCASTERONLINE.com, 7/25).
