Athletic budget update #43

It's great to be back after a short hiatus.  In the last week or so there's been some additional budget moves made around the nation.  Here's the latest:

Maryland is cutting more than $500,000 of expenses from its football and men's and women's basketball programs. 

Texas Southern will be receiving a nearly 30% increase to its operating budget after the passage of an athletic fee.  Their budget will increase to $7.7 million with the money being used primarily for travel, grants in aid and equipment for their women's teams. 

UConn has signed a media rights deal with International Management Group (IMG) that will pay the Huskies $80 million over 10 years.  The article also provides in-depth information about the savings that will be gained on the expense side of the equation for the department. 

Washington State anticipates losing $200,000 for the just completed fiscal year. 

Southern Mississippi may have to cut their operating budget by up to 10% for the coming year. 

The Chair of the Iowa Board of Regents is suggesting that Iowa State and Northern Iowa should learn to operate without any state funding, meaning a possible reduction of about $3 million for the Cyclones and $4.6 million for the Panthers (40% of the department budget).  While the cuts aren't imminent, they are being examined. 

South Dakota State is facing budget reductions and responding to them by scheduling contests closer to home, printing fewer media guides and the football team will be using bus travel instead of air for two road contests. 

Fairfield University closed part of a $400,000 budget gap by cutting three staff positions.  This and other information is covered in a lengthy Connecticut Post article that describes cuts an Southern Connecticut, University of Bridgeport, Sacred Heart and a number of other Nutmeg State institutions. 

Moorpark College (CA) has dropped their wrestling and men's and women's golf programs.  The two year college cited budget and Title IX as the rationale for their decision.  Likewise, LA City College has dropped all of their sports (including both basketball teams) but one (women's volleyball - because their season is about to start). 

New Mexico State Football has sent an email to boosters requesting that donors provide after-practice and late night snacks for the team. Donors have responded. "It's good stuff like trail mix or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches," said linebacker Jamar Cotton.

The Sports Business Journal has an in-depth article about the impact of football on athletic budgets

UltimateSportsInsider is quoted in the Austin American Statesman along with Daniel Fulks who compiles economic data for the NCAA and Texas Athletic Director DeLoss Dodds about the current budget environment and the potential for a widening gap between the haves and have-nots in college athletics.

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