• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here

Cal Expects Football Return to Help Balance Athletic Department Budget

  • The Cal athletic department had planned for a $55 million budget shortfall.
  • AD Jim Knowlton said that TV rights fees could eliminate the need to take out a loan.
Cal Expects Return of Football to Help Balance Athletic Department Budget
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Pac-12 football will return to action this fall with a modified, seven-game schedule, walking back a previous decision to postpone all sports until 2021. 

UC Berkeley, which has 30 sports and about 850 athletes, had previously predicted a $55 million shortfall from its $100 million budget, with no money coming in from TV rights deals or ticket sales. 

But Athletic Director Jim Knowlton said in an interview with The New York Times that the department had found a way to make it work before the conference’s decision to restart. That plan included taking out an approximately $20 million loan, which he now thinks could be covered by the TV rights fees for the season. 

“Depending on how much we receive from our TV partners, it could be no loan at all, if, in fact, we get $20-plus million from our TV partners,” Knowlton said. “That would be great news for us, since we’ve got debt service already. We can balance our numbers with a $55 million loss, so any of the revenue is just going to help us in that pursuit.”

Knowlton’s comments contradict what Oregon President Michael Schill said following the announcement of the Pac-12’s latest plans. Schill claimed that any money recouped from the restart will be “tiny” compared to what programs have lost. 

Knowlton said that the financial gains didn’t “drive” Cal’s decision to restart, but that “for me to say I’m not cognizant of the financial implications would tell you I’m not a responsible leader.” Schill said that the potential gains “had no effect on our decision.”

While football games do return, they won’t have fans in the stadium. Knowlton said that Cal gave season ticket holders the option to donate the money they had already put down for the 2020 season, roll that money over to next season, or get a refund. Cal had a 91% season ticket renewal rate, and less than 7% have asked for a refund, Knowlton told The Times. 

Knowlton also said that he didn’t feel any external pressure to restart the season. The return of college football has been highly politicized, with President Donald Trump and various politicians pushing publicly for conferences like the Big Ten to reverse their decisions to postpone football. 

“I did not feel pressure from any group — except maybe our student-athletes who were excited about playing, if we could do it safely. And until we could, I just couldn’t look them in the eye, their parents in the eye, and say we’ve got a good handle on all of our protocols and all we’re going to do to go back to contact practices and competitions. So I didn’t feel the pressure,” Knowlton said. “And when we were able to find a way to meet our budget numbers, even without football, I was content, that when it was right, we’d make the decision.”

The Times asked Knowlton if he has a response to critics of schools who are bringing back athletic teams before the general student body. 

“We brought 2,000 students back into housing, our research density is at 25%and growing, we’ve had athletes doing voluntary workouts outdoors on our campus. And each piece of campus continues to look at what we can do safely that will continue to allow the campus to open,” Knowlton said. “I don’t see us as being on an island. I see us as part of a larger campus, looking to grow the footprint back on campus. We’re continuing to do and hope that the current trajectory and success continues, because I think we’re doing it right.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NFL Ratings Continue to Surge: CBS and NBC On a Record Pace

NBC is averaging 24.7 million viewers per game for Sunday Night Football.

SEC Coaches Kiffin, Smart Question LSU’s Firing of Kelly: ‘Ridiculous’ 

Three SEC teams have fired their football coaches midseason.
Brian Kelly

CFB Firings Tracker: LSU Owes Brian Kelly $53 Million

The sum owed Kelly slightly tops James Franklin’s at Penn State. 
Tigers Head Coach Brian Kelly, LSU Tigers take on the Texas A&M Aggies. October 25, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; at Tiger Stadium. Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.

College Football Coach Buyouts Are Not What They Seem

LSU will likely not have to pay Kelly the $53 million he has left on his contract.

Featured Today

September 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium

NFL Fall Meeting: 7 Big Topics Among Team Owners 

Media, facilities, and labor highlight some of the key areas of concern.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball in the second half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin
October 25, 2025

NIL Has Birthed a Third-Party Cottage Industry—and It’s a Mess

There’s no limit to how much players can make from NIL deals.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
Sankey

SEC’s Sankey Blasts NCAA Plan to Allow Pro Sports Betting

NCAA athletes can bet on professional sports starting Nov. 1.
October 26, 2025

LSU Ends Brian Kelly Era, $53M Buyout Negotiations Underway

The Tigers fell to 5–3 after losing to Texas A&M.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry speaks to an audience at Louisiana Tech University on Aug. 25, 2025.
October 28, 2025

Why Louisiana’s Governor Was Involved in the Brian Kelly Firing

Jeff Landry reportedly hosted a meeting at the governor’s mansion Sunday.
Sponsored

Why Alexis Ohanian Is Betting Big on Women’s Sports

Alexis Ohanian reflects on his evolution from Reddit cofounder to one of today’s most dynamic sports investors.
October 26, 2025

Revenue-Sharing Era’s New Powers: Indiana, Georgia Tech, and Vandy

Indiana is the most notable, having ascended to No. 2.
October 26, 2025

Sarkisian, Kiffin Address Rumors As Coaching Carousel Spins Again

Reports are rampant about the coaches taking new jobs.
Azzi Fudd
October 24, 2025

Government Shutdown Moves UConn Season Opener Out of Germany

The shutdown is now on its 24th day.
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) celebrates following the game between Vanderbilt University and Louisiana State University at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025
exclusive
October 24, 2025

Diego Pavia Is Trying to Kill NCAA JUCO Eligibility Rules for Good

Vandy’s QB is amending his own lawsuit to encompass all NCAA athletes.