Losses Mounting

Without fall sports, Iowa State Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard estimates the department would incur approximately $40 million in unfunded expenses, including staff salaries and scholarships. The athletic department’s annual budget is $86 million, and the school as a whole is facing $73 million in revenue losses and costs related to COVID-19 thus far.

Pollard addressed a letter to fans that provided a glimpse into the potential losses Power 5 schools are facing should the fall season be canceled. Pollard’s goal was to “clarify the reasons why we are doing everything in our power to try and safely play college sports this fall.”

The University of Minnesota athletic department is also expected to face heavy losses without fall sports, with some projections suggesting it could lose up to $75 million. That would build upon a loss of $10 million from not having spring sports. If sports are allowed to be played but with no fans in attendance, the school would lose $30 million. Last week, the Big Ten Conference announced it would allow fall sports to have conference-only schedules.

In April, a report found the 65 Power 5 schools could lose a combined $4.1 billion in revenue without a college football season. Power 5 schools had more than $1 billion in ticket revenue alone in 2019.

More College News: 

— “I hope I’m wrong, but I think the season being canceled is a foregone conclusion,” a Power Five coach told Yahoo Sports.

— SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said, “We believe that late July will provide the best clarity for making the important decisions ahead of us.”

— The Patriot League announced its fall sports schedule would be canceled. The Football Championship Series conference follows in the Ivy League’s footsteps, which canceled its fall seasons last week.