By Mike Phelps
The NCAA released its latest report on revenue and expenses on Wednesday, detailing information from the 2009-10 fiscal year. Here is a look at some of the important findings from the report.
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Perhaps the largest piece of news to take away from the report is that 22 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) athletic programs are now considered self-sufficient. This figure is up from 14 in 2009. The median net surplus for those 22 universities was about $7.4 million (ranging from $211,000 to $41.9 million).
But while more programs are now considered self-sufficient, the gap between those 22 schools and the rest of FBS is now significantly higher than it was a year ago. The median net deficit for the other nearly 100 schools is approximately $11.3 million. The difference of nearly $19 million is much greater than the $15.6 million separation in 2009.
The disparity concerns NCAA President Mark Emmert and will likely be a driving force on the agenda at a presidential retreat Emmert is convening in August, according to NCAA.org.
"That gap in revenue, either from self-generated or institutionally allocated sources, is significant," Emmert said. "Indeed, it is coming to redefine what we mean by competitive equity. This will undoubtedly be a discussion point at the August presidential retreat."
The report also showed that football generates 45 percent of all revenue, with 58 percent of programs deemed self-sufficient. On the hardwood, 56 percent of men's basketball programs are self-sufficient, but only one women's program can say the same. The self-sufficient football programs had revenues that exceeded expenses by about $9 million. Men's basketball experienced a much smaller net gain--around $3.7 million.
Other highlights include:
-The report shows the "cost"--the amount of money a school needs to provide to compete in Division I--at around $9 million. That figure represents the median institutional subsidy necessary the balance the athletic budget. The number has fluctuated between $8 and $10 million over the past three years.
-Similar to previous years, ticket sales, alumni/booster contributions, and NCAA/conference distributions make up more than 50 percent of total generated revenues. Additionally, compensation and grants-in-aid make up more than 50 percent of total expenses.
-The percentage of total revenues that come from either direct or indirect institutional support, or student fees is 26 percent in FBS, 73 percent in FCS and 80 percent for universities without football.
Mike Phelps is an Assistant Editor at Athletic Management.