Iowa AD Gary Barta indicated that the athletics department is working hard to find solutionsGETTY IMAGES
The Univ. of Iowa athletics department is "bracing for a budget deficit" of between $60-75M due to the Big Ten's cancellation of fall football, according to Chad Leistikow of the DES MOINES REGISTER. Iowa AD Gary Barta said that the school -- which in FY '19 had operating expenses of $146.3M -- "stands to lose" roughly $100M in revenue in the current academic year. Football-specific revenues for FY '19 at Iowa were nearly $82M, with the "bulk coming from media-rights fees and ticket sales." That figure "doesn't include" $34M in nonsport-specific contributions that are "typically associated with the football team." Barta in a letter to football season-ticket holders yesterday wrote that Iowa "continues to offer fans the option of a full refund for their football tickets." Barta told season-ticket holders that their "priority and seat locations re guaranteed for next year." He added, "If you would like to keep your investment with us, it will be applied to the 2021 season." Fans who roll their payments to '21 "would boost Iowa's cash-on-hand during a difficult financial year." Barta said the athletics department is "working hard to find solutions," adding, "These decisions will be very challenging" (DES MOINES REGISTER, 8/18).
PREPARING FOR THE WORST: In Michigan, Kyle Austin notes Michigan State is "looking at a hole" of $80-85M in its athletic budget. Among the school's last resorts "will be to cut sports." MSU AD Bill Beekman said that he "won't be taking anything off the table as he considers his options, including cutting sports." Beekman: "Everything has to be an option as we explore how to close this gap as best we possibly can" (MLIVE.com, 8/18).
