Wisconsin is slated to lose millions due to the loss of men's basketball gamesGETTY IMAGES
The Univ. of Wisconsin athletic department is "projecting a revenue shortfall" of more than $4M for this fiscal year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, according to Todd Milewski of the WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL. That estimate accounts for 2.5% of a $159M '19-20 budget for the "self-sustaining athletics enterprise." The early end to the men's basketball season "means millions of dollars in lost revenue" for the school. But financial data from previous years "indicated that wiping out the rest of the season for spring sports will result in a larger drop in expenses than revenues in those areas." There also could be a "larger challenge on the horizon, with uncertainty relating to whether sports will resume at a full level before the college football season is scheduled to begin at the end of August." Any disruption to football "has the potential to cause much more significant losses to athletics operations." Meanwhile, discussions of whether $130M in renovation projects "will go on as planned starting this year at UW's three main athletics facilities -- Camp Randall Stadium, the Kohl Center and the Field House -- haven't been a high priority" (WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL, 4/3).
PALMETTO STATE: In Columbia, Matt Connolly noted Clemson is "expected to save" approximately $2.35M in expenses, but also is "expected to lose" an estimated $3.368M in revenue. That balances out to a net loss of approximately $1.038M. The numbers are "an estimation for spring sports," but the financial impact "could be much greater if the football season is unable to be played this fall." Despite the impact of the coronavirus, Clemson AD Dan Radakovich said that the school's athletic department is "still doing well overall." Radakovich said, "We're in a very good spot. Whether it's our reserves or our donors at IPTAY, we are in a really, really positive situation and really have got to thank them for putting us in this position." Connolly noted the lost revenue for Clemson consists of three main areas -- "ACC and NCAA money distribution, ticket sales refunds and concessions" (Columbia STATE, 4/2).
