The Univ. of Washington plans to cut $28M in "staffing and operational expenses" in FY '21, according to Mike Vorel of the SEATTLE TIMES. UW in June announced it would "implement a 15% reduction in its operating budget (roughly $8.5 million), and a 10% salary reduction for staff (roughly $5 million)." That staffing reduction has since "grown to 17% ($8 million) -- via 'voluntary contract reductions, department-wide furloughs and other staffing cuts' ($20 million)." The operating budget hit also will "increase to 40% through 'continued cost containment, spending freezes and operational cuts.'" With a 6-8 game winter or spring season, UW "projects only" $73.5M in revenue -- $50.6M less than its "expectation in May’s best-case scenario budget." That includes a $29.9M "hit in gate revenue" -- since the school is not expecting to host fans in FY '21 -- as well as $18.7M less in TV rights and NCAA distributions, $5M less in royalties, advertising and sponsorships and $4M less in game day revenue. To offset those losses, UW has set a goal to raise an additional $15M "via the Huskies All In fundraising campaign." The cancellation of UW's non-conference football schedule did produce $3.125M in "unexpected savings" -- $1M for Michigan, $625,000 for Sacramento State and $1.5M for Utah State (SEATTLE TIMES, 9/10).
