Fresno State's revenue line is expected to deliver $19.17M this year, up $1.28M (7.1%) from '17GETTY IMAGES
Fresno State's athletic revenues are "expected to grow this school year" to $41.45M, a "bump of nearly $870,000 (2.1%) over last year’s budget," according to George Hostetter of CVOBSERVER.com. Football gate receipts this season are projected at $4.125M, an "increase of $240,000 (6.2%)" from the '17-18 budget estimate. The $4.125M figure "falls short" of the '14-15 actual gate receipts for football ($4.36M), but it is a "sign of rising optimism." The men’s basketball program could see "brighter days at the box office," as it is "projected to take in $332,500 at the gate, an increase of $80,100 over the previous year." University support "keeps the athletic program alive." This revenue line is "slated to deliver" $19.17M this year, an increase of $1.28M (7.1%). Fresno State is looking at $41.52M in "expected bills," which is $910,885 (2.2%) "more than last year’s budget" (CVOBSERVER.com, 11/5).
PRIMED FOR A TURNAROUND? In Fresno, Robert Kuwada noted Fresno State's men's basketball season-ticket base has "steadily dwindled over the past five years" from 4,694 in '14 to 4,004 in '18. But Fresno State is "on a pace to perhaps surpass those numbers this season and it has followed through with initiatives to get more fans into the Save Mart Center." Free public WiFi "was added" to the arena and there also is a "significant push to engage Fresno State students." Additionally, the pep band "will move closer to the floor." DJ Kay Rich also "will be a fixture in the student section and an in-game host (Kimberly Marquez) will drive engagement with the crowd." Fresno State also is building a "party zone in the student section" (FRESNO BEE, 11/6).
