The question is being asked across every major athletic department around the country. How will the House settlement and the looming era of revenue sharing impact non-revenue sports?
With Division I athletic departments now tasked with finding another $20 million in revenue to direct to student-athletes beginning on July 1, cost-cutting measures and fundraising plans are being crafted all over. Some schools could raise tuition the larger university population and send that excess to their athletic departments. Some departments will (and already have) reduce their staff. Some schools will sponsor fewer sports.
On Friday, Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne was asked about the idea of cutting sports at Alabama during an appearance on The Opening Kickoff on 105.5 WNSP.
“We’re going to try everything we can to have that not be the case,” Byrne answered.
According to financial filings, Alabama reported a $28 million operating deficit during the last fiscal year. The school’s outward stance is that a significant chunk of that deficit was due to the retirement of Nick Saban, which led to some major one-time expenses. Byrne reiterated after the House settlement was officially approved earlier this month that Alabama would be participating fully in rev-share, up to the $20.5 million cap this year.
In a separate interview, Bryne said Alabama doesn’t “have a sport here … just to have a sport.” On the radio on Friday, Byrne said he still believes in the old model.
“We have one team that makes a healthy profit in football. We have one that turns a profit in men’s basketball. We have 19 that don’t,” Byrne said. “Football has been the sport that has historically supported the department, and the investments we’ve made in the young men in our football program I’m very proud of, both from a revenue-sharing standpoint but also what we do holistically with the young men.
“… As far as how many sports we have, it’s a hard model. There’s no doubt about it. But at the same time, too, I believe in the model and I think it’s something worth investing in and we continue to plan to do so here at the University of Alabama.”
Alabama is a football powerhouse, and Nate Oats has turned Alabama basketball into a perennial contender in the SEC. Under Kristy Curry, Alabama’s women’s basketball program has produced 4 consecutive 20-win seasons and made 3 consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament. The Crimson Tide softball program has played for a national championship in softball twice since 2012. Alabama baseball just went 41-18.
Between the lines, the athletic department is successful. Byrne’s next challenge is finding a way to maintain that in a drastically altered environment.
Alabama athletic director comments on future of non-revenue Tide teams Saturday Down South.
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