The school has up to 40% of the department's revenue tied up in tickets, related charges and donationsGETTY IMAGES
The Univ. of South Carolina is asking fans to "consider continuing to donate or keep their season ticket money with the school this year," though questions remain if the school will host football fans this fall, according to Ben Breiner of the Columbia STATE. The school "pledged it would refund season tickets for those who couldn’t attend," but "asked fans to consider keeping their money with the school," with up to 40% of the department's revenue tied up in tickets, related charges and donations. Four options have been offered outside of refunds that include "rolling over season tickets or turning the value of those tickets into a tax-deducible gift." Fans have "until Aug. 20 to make their decisions." South Carolina’s efforts are "similar to others schools -- including Clemson -- that have announced campaigns aimed at easing the depth of lost revenue." Both South Carolina and Clemson are "expected to request waivers from state government to allow for a limited number of spectators at home games this season." South Carolina AD Ray Tanner several weeks ago said that the school's "hope was for around 20,000 fans." Breiner notes South Carolina is "on track" to finish Williams-Brice Stadium upgrades that cost more than $22M. The school's budget projections had around $19.5M of $127M of projected revenue "coming from tickets" (Columbia STATE, 8/11).
