Univ. of Kansas AD Jeff Long in an email to donors wrote that KU Athletics projects "at a minimum a 20% decrease in revenue in 2020-21," according to Gary Bedore of the K.C. STAR. KU last month "approved a budget" of $100.9M for FY '21. Long in the email wrote, "The strategic measures below have already been taken: a 15-20% reduction for all department and sports budgets; staff furlough and salary reductions totaling over $1 million in cost savings; department hiring freeze leaving any non-essential jobs vacant." He added that those initiatives "combine to eliminate nearly $10 million in expenses from our 2020-21 pre-COVID-19 operating budget of $108.7 million." Long also wrote that 3,259 Williams Fun donors "renewed their pledges for this school year, which is 510 fewer donors than a year ago, accounting for a deficit of $2,896,867." Meanwhile, Long in the email noted there are "scenarios for 100% capacity, 50% and less" for football games this season. Long said plans are "being developed implementing contactless ticketing procedures, social distancing in public spaces, mandatory mask wearing, hand hygiene stations throughout concourses and many other health measures" (K.C. STAR, 7/30).
