Monday December 4, 2023

FCS Teams Lose Money With Spring Football

  • This week, FCS teams will finally commence an unorthodox pandemic season that extends until May.
  • Unlike FBS schools who needed revenue from the fall football season, most FCS programs will likely lose money from playing.
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

Following postponement of the regular season last fall, FCS football teams spent the last semester practicing and training for an unorthodox spring schedule.

This week, they will finally commence a season that extends until May.

Unlike FBS schools who needed revenue from the fall football season, most FCS programs will likely lose money from playing this season.

FCS vs. FBS Finances

FBS and FCS schools divide their budgets in similar ways. But they differ in the revenues they receive, according to the Knight Commission’s College Athletics Financial Information database: Most FCS schools make the lion’s share of revenue from institutional support and student fees. In 2018, for example, these two streams comprised 69% of total FCS revenue.

Ticket sales, donor contributions, NCAA distributions, and sponsorships made up just 22% of all FCS revenue. FBS schools earned 75% of total revenue from those avenues.

FCS programs also make revenue from competition guarantees, when FBS programs pay to play them to bolster their records for bowl season. About 5% of all revenues came from competition guarantees in 2018.

Only a few FCS programs generate revenue at rates that rival some of the smaller FBS teams. 

FCS powerhouse North Dakota State — the alma mater of multiple NFL players including Carson Wentz — generated 61% of its 2018 revenue from ticket sales, sponsorships, donations, competition guarantees, and NCAA distributions, and just 31% from institutional support and student fees.

Impact of Pandemic Football

FBS programs recouped millions in media rights revenue by plodding on with the normal football schedule. 

But FCS programs may not earn even the modest revenue from ticket sales, competition guarantees, and donations that they normally receive, Defiance College assistant sports management professor, Dr. Scott Hirko, told FOS. 

In addition, the cost of testing or extra safety precautions could provide an added burden on the smaller programs.

So why will they play a belated season at all? They have to pay their normal expenses, like coaching salaries or facilities fees, whether they play or not, Hirko said.

“Maybe they can just swallow their pride for a year.”

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

CFP Selection Turns Heads with Controversial Selection

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

The College Football Playoff is considering rotating TV networks for the national championship game.

CFP Considers Super Bowl-Like Rotation For National Championship Game

Multiple networks could share rights to the championship game, sources told FOS.
Brett Favre
November 27, 2023

Favre Welfare Case Hold-Up? "AG’s Office Has Not Expressed Interest In Pursuing"

The DOJ interviewed Brett Favre in early 2020.
The future of the Pac-12 rests on a court decision.
November 24, 2023

The Pac-12 Plays Its Final Regular-Season Game. Then A Court Decides Its Fate.

The conference's future rests with a court decision.
Lane Kiffin
November 9, 2023

Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin Lawyers Argue for Dismissal of Player Lawsuit

FOS obtained audio of Lane Kiffin's interaction with the player behind lawsuit.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Wasserman
Multiple - USA Careers
Live Nation
Multiple - USA Careers
Saco Bay PT
Multiple - USA Careers

TV Networks Are Programming College Football’s Future: What’s Next

Conference championship weekends will have a different feel in the future.
Oregon State and Washington State appear to be making contingency plans to operate as a two-school conference while their lawsuit against the Pac-12 winds through state court.
November 28, 2023

Oregon State, Washington State Make Contingency Plan as Lawsuit Delayed

It will take at least another month for a court decision.
November 30, 2023

Power 4 Commissioners Split On Fate of Conference Title Games

Georgia and Alabama play in Saturday's SEC Championship Game.
Sponsored

NHL’s Chris Foster on Amplifying Content Distribution With Automation

Learn how the NHL is using WSC Sports to increase fan engagement.
Delaware receiver Kym Wimberly leaves St. Francis defenders behind as he turns a reception into a touchdown in the final minute of the first half at Delaware Stadium, Saturday Sept. 16, 2023.
November 27, 2023

Delaware to Pay $5M to Move to Conference USA, FBS

Delaware will be the first football program to pay the FBS $5M.
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh's comments on athlete compensation highlight the NCAA's hypocrisy.
November 27, 2023

Jim Harbaugh’s Athlete Compensation Comments Highlight NCAA Hypocrisy

Harbaugh can donate to athletic department employees, but not players.
November 26, 2023

Schools Owe Fired CFB Coaches A Record $118M In Buyouts (So Far)

Firings over the weekend broke a record for buyout figures.
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Steele Chambers and Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Cody Simon tackle Michigan Wolverines running back Hassan Haskins during the first quarter of their NCAA College football at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, MI on November 27, 2021.
November 21, 2023

Ohio State-Michigan Records Priciest Ticket In Rivalry History

The cheapest ticket to Saturday's game is $676 on the secondary market.