Member schools, the NCAA feels your pain
Posted: Thursday, June 04, 2009 7:09 PM
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NCAA
In an economy like this, every little bit helps. Little being the key word.
The NCAA announced Wednesday that it’ll suspend membership dues for next year, and also plans to distribute about $5 million to schools.
But … there are about 1,000 member schools. And dues are only $900 to $1,800, depending on which division you play in. So that’s about $6.3 million to divvy up, which works out to $6,300 per school.
“There's a multi-pronged approach to help schools and these are the beginning steps in a plan to relieve some of the financial pressure,” NCAA spokesman Erik Christianson told the AP. “Our members believe every bit helps.”
Little bit is right. $6,300 is barely enough to pay off the average credit card debt of two college students, let alone boost an athletic department’s budget. It’s barely a blip on the revenue for most D-I schools. Maybe they can buy a Yugo or splurge on lottery tickets.
Check out this list of D-I budgets and revenue (thanks BBState.com). Savannah State’s 2008 revenues were $2,222,989. Its expenses were $2,102,031. And it’s 340th among all D-I schools. It can’t even come close to spending money like the top D-I schools.
Revenues from Texas ($120,288,368), Ohio State ($117,953,712) and Florida ($106,030,896) all topped $100 million. The Longhorns and Buckeyes both made about $20 million last year.
OK, so it’ll give Cal some breathing room. The Bears made $746 last year.
If BBState’s figures are correct, no school lost money last year (a far cry from English League soccer). Heck, 191 schools on the list spent every penny, and not a dime more. (Hmmmm.) It makes me wonder if some numbers have been fudged, but if those are correct, then maybe the money isn’t necessary.
Wouldn’t the money be better spent on establishing an endowment for student athlete scholarships? Or improving facilities? Or creating more jobs for graduates within the NCAA? (Anything to bolster the economy.)
Then again, distribute the money. They can have a party with this bottle of bubbly.
