IOWA ($180.0M) #28 in Total Revenue for Fiscal Year 2025. Clown U ($103.9M) is #68. IOWA is #3 in Net Rev Surplus ($29.1M), after Texas & Notre Dame

[Franisdaman]

New EADA Grand Total Revenue for FY 2025 (ALL FBS schools, Military Academies don't report);

1-10
Texas $ 343.1
Ohio St. $ 295.3
Notre Dame $ 289.6
Tennessee $ 285.4
Penn St. $ 254.4
Alabama $ 244.6
Michigan $ 236.4
Texas A&M $ 235.5
Oklahoma $ 234.4
USC $ 234.0

11-20
Georgia $ 233.5
Miami (FL) $ 230.5
LSU $ 223.4
Nebraska $ 205.8
Auburn $ 205.3
South Carolina $ 204.6
Florida $ 199.2
Arkansas $ 195.9
Stanford $ 192.8
Florida St. $ 192.7

21-30
Wisconsin $ 190.5
Kentucky $ 186.6
Clemson $ 186.1
Indiana $ 182.1
Duke $ 181.6
Missouri $ 181.1
North Carolina $ 180.8
Iowa $ 180.0
**Washington $ 178.4
Illinois $ 174.6

31-40
Kansas $ 173.7
UCLA $ 173.4
California $ 173.1
Rutgers $ 171.7
Ole Miss $ 171.1
**Oregon $ 167.1
Colorado $ 161.7
Michigan St. $ 160.7
Mississippi St. $ 157.3
Minnesota $ 156.8

41-50
TCU $ 156.0
Louisville $ 155.9
Oklahoma St. $ 153.7
**BYU $ 153.4
Virginia Tech $ 151.6
Pittsburgh $ 151.3
Virginia $ 150.6
Purdue $ 150.5
^^SMU $ 150.2
Arizona St. $ 149.3

51-60
Vanderbilt $ 146.4
Baylor $ 144.1
Boston College $ 142.1
Georgia Tech $ 140.4
NC State $ 135.8
Arizona $ 132.7
Northwestern $ 131.8
Texas Tech $ 128.8
Maryland $ 128.7
Utah $ 125.2

61-70
USF $ 122.1
Syracuse $ 120.8
**Cincinnati $ 119.3
West Virginia $ 117.4
Wake Forest $ 114.6
**UCF $ 108.9
Oregon St. $ 104.8
Iowa St. $ 103.9
Kansas St. $ 103.0
**Houston $ 100.1

71-80
UConn $ 97.1
San Diego St. $ 89.8
Boise St. $ 89.7
Washington St. $ 82.2
UNLV $ 77.3
Temple $ 71.2
Rice $ 70.4
James Madison $ 68.4
East Carolina $ 68.0
Tulane $ 66.2

81-90
Memphis $ 65.9
Delaware $ 65.5
Fresno St. $ 63.4
Liberty $ 62.1
New Mexico $ 61.1
Tulsa $ 59.8
North Texas $ 58.1
UMass $ 57.7
Colorado St. $ 55.8
Charlotte $ 55.0

91-100
UTSA $ 54.4
Hawaii $ 53.8
Nevada $ 53.2
Old Dominion $ 53.2
Texas St. $ 52.2
Wyoming $ 50.4
Buffalo $ 50.0
Fla. Atlantic $ 49.3
Utah St. $ 48.3
Coastal Carolina $ 47.0

101-110
Marshall $ 47.0
Sacramento St $ 46.3
App State $ 44.9
UAB $ 43.9
Western Mich. $ 43.7
Louisiana $ 42.9
San Jose St. $ 42.9
FIU $ 42.4
Kennesaw St. $ 42.3
Miami (OH) $ 41.2

111-120
Georgia St. $ 40.0
Middle Tenn. $ 40.0
Troy $ 39.7
Toledo $ 39.5
Eastern Mich. $ 38.9
Central Mich. $ 38.5
Ga. Southern $ 38.1
Kent St. $ 37.2
New Mexico St. $ 37.1
Bowling Green $ 35.3

121-130
North Dakota St $ 34.8
Jacksonville St. $ 34.6
NIU $ 34.3
Louisiana Tech $ 34.0
Arkansas St. $ 33.8
Akron $ 33.6
Ohio $ 33.0
South Alabama $ 32.6
UTEP $ 32.4
Sam Houston $ 32.0

131-135
Southern Miss. $ 31.9
Western Ky. $ 31.3
Ball St. $ 30.3
Missouri St. $ 28.1
ULM $ 20.6

** “Half-share” payouts from conference distributions

^^ SMU receives no media contract portion in their conference distributions

^^^^ALL schools (public & PRIVATE) are required to self-report these EADA (US Dept of Education) figures each year. Other revenue figures obtained from public school's financial and tax documents (FOIA requests) may vary for some schools. However, this EADA database is worthwhile to report since it is standardized and includes all private schools as well.

 

[OnlyTheObscure]

So Iowa really underachieves when they lose to them.

 

[Franisdaman]

Kansas tops the Big 12 in revenue with $173.7M but that ranks just #31 overall. TEN B1G schools brought in more revenue than Kansas.

Look at Penn State's revenue ($254.4M); no wonder Matt Campbell left Clown U ($103.9M).

Taking a look at the B1G rankings:
....2. Ohio St. $ 295.3
....5. Penn St. $ 254.4
....7. Michigan $ 236.4
10. USC $ 234.0
14. Nebraska $ 205.8

21. Wisconsin $ 190.5
24. Indiana $ 182.1
28. IOWA $ 180.0
29. **Washington $ 178.4
30. Illinois $ 174.6

32. UCLA $ 173.4
34. Rutgers $ 171.7
36. **Oregon $ 167.1
38. Michigan St. $ 160.7
40. Minnesota $ 156.8

48. Purdue $ 150.5
57. Northwestern $ 131.8
59. Maryland $ 128.7

** “Half-share” payouts from conference distributions

 

[BunchofAholes]

Saw a separate piece on the "big" 12. Not looking good for them

 

[Lionhawk85]

#28 is pretty good, but there are a few teams behind Iowa that will move up (Washington, Oregon, possibly others). Candidly going to to be a dogfight to stay in the top 30 imo. And that’s a huge gap between the top 10 and where we currently sit.

 

[HMB Trumpet]

Texas Tech is #58, but didn’t they have the highest football payroll this past season?

 

[Franisdaman]

Saw a separate piece on the "big" 12. Not looking good for them

 

[Franisdaman]

Texas Tech is #58, but didn’t they have the highest football payroll this past season?

Great point. Texas had the highest payroll; Texas Tech had the 2nd highest.

The Texas Tech athletic department brought in $128.8M. Texas was #1 overall at $343.1M.

Texas Tech's football roster cost north of $28M this season (just behind Texas), sources tell Pete Nakos of On3.

"They have to pay 30% more to get the guys because of location.”

 

[WeBeHerkin]

Great point. Texas had the highest payroll; Texas Tech had the 2nd highest.

The Texas Tech athletic department brought in $128.8M. Texas was #1 overall at $343.1M.

Texas Tech's football roster cost north of $28M this season (just behind Texas), sources tell Pete Nakos of On3.

"They have to pay 30% more to get the guys because of location.”

Texas Tech has billionaire supporters. They are buying talent.

 

[2D]

So Iowa really underachieves when they lose to them.

In more ways than one, especially when it comes to player talent and coaching quality. We should be beating them comfortably every year.

Kirk is going to have to prove he can beat Iowa State this year for me, I have that game marked as a loss until proven otherwise.

 

[Franisdaman]

Texas Tech's all-in bet paid off last season.

From the linked story:

After an offseason of big dreams and bigger spending, the No. 4 Red Raiders secured their first Big 12 championship in program history Saturday with a 34-7 rout of No. 11 BYU.

Texas Tech assembled what can now be called one of the greatest transfer portal classes of this evolving era of NIL and transfers in college football, a group of 22 incoming transfers that yielded 11 players who started in the Big 12 title game, four first-team All-Big 12 performers and a projected first-round draft pick in pass rusher David Bailey.

General manager James Blanchard believed from the beginning that the Big 12 was not equipped to compete with what the Red Raiders had assembled. The results of that ambitious roster-building experiment: Every Texas Tech victory has been by more than 21 points.

"Mission accomplished," Blanchard told ESPN. "It's proof of concept. We've got an opportunity to go win a national championship, and I like our chances."

Texas Tech's more than $25 million investment for its 2025 roster, blending proven returning starters with high-profile newcomers, created boom-or-bust stakes and a seasonlong narrative -- that the Red Raiders were desperately trying to buy their way to the top.

Even after defeating BYU on Saturday, Texas Tech players were asked to respond to the perception that they had built "the best team money could buy." Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, a returning senior and the Big 12's Defensive Player of the Year, was happy to answer that one.

"If we are going to buy a team," Rodriguez replied, "why not be the best?"

Billionaire board chair Cody Campbell offered no apologies as he watched Red Raiders coaches and players celebrate Saturday. "I'm just so proud," Campbell told ESPN. "The credit goes to the guys who are actually in the arena. These men love each other. They played so hard, so tough. I'm just so proud of this staff, I'm so proud of the university and the alignment we have, all the support we've gotten from so many people. It's been a team effort, the whole effort, the whole way. "We all came together and had a singular mission, a singular focus, and we got it done. This is something we've been waiting on a long time at Texas Tech."

Quarterback Behren Morton has been playing with a hairline fracture in his fibula that forced him to miss two games, including the Red Raiders' lone loss to Arizona State. Morton told ESPN he's feeling "about 70 percent" healthy and is looking forward to more recovery time.

Before Morton grabbed the game ball, threw his arm around his coach and headed to a locker room filled with celebration and cigar smoke, the senior offered a prideful grin.

"There were a lot of people saying preseason that Texas Tech better do it," Morton said. "Well, guess what? We did it."

Texas Tech beats BYU for Big 12 title, likely CFP 1st-round bye

Texas Tech won the Big 12 championship game, and almost certainly locked up a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff, with a resounding victory over BYU.

www.espn.com

 

[Franisdaman]

Speaking of Texas Tech and their spending:

full text of tweet:

As Texas Tech continues to trend for elite recruits like Rivals #1 recruit LaDamion Guyton, program General Manager James Blanchard says the goal is to be a new-age blue-blood.

“Be a perennial Top 10 in the country,” Blanchard said. “Be a playoff contender every year and dominate the Big 12 every year.”

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Click to expand.

 

[rchawk]

New EADA Grand Total Revenue for FY 2025 (ALL FBS schools, Military Academies don't report);

1-10
Texas $ 343.1
Ohio St. $ 295.3
Notre Dame $ 289.6
Tennessee $ 285.4
Penn St. $ 254.4
Alabama $ 244.6
Michigan $ 236.4
Texas A&M $ 235.5
Oklahoma $ 234.4
USC $ 234.0

11-20
Georgia $ 233.5
Miami (FL) $ 230.5
LSU $ 223.4
Nebraska $ 205.8
Auburn $ 205.3
South Carolina $ 204.6
Florida $ 199.2
Arkansas $ 195.9
Stanford $ 192.8
Florida St. $ 192.7

21-30
Wisconsin $ 190.5
Kentucky $ 186.6
Clemson $ 186.1
Indiana $ 182.1
Duke $ 181.6
Missouri $ 181.1
North Carolina $ 180.8
Iowa $ 180.0
**Washington $ 178.4
Illinois $ 174.6

31-40
Kansas $ 173.7
UCLA $ 173.4
California $ 173.1
Rutgers $ 171.7
Ole Miss $ 171.1
**Oregon $ 167.1
Colorado $ 161.7
Michigan St. $ 160.7
Mississippi St. $ 157.3
Minnesota $ 156.8

41-50
TCU $ 156.0
Louisville $ 155.9
Oklahoma St. $ 153.7
**BYU $ 153.4
Virginia Tech $ 151.6
Pittsburgh $ 151.3
Virginia $ 150.6
Purdue $ 150.5
^^SMU $ 150.2
Arizona St. $ 149.3

51-60
Vanderbilt $ 146.4
Baylor $ 144.1
Boston College $ 142.1
Georgia Tech $ 140.4
NC State $ 135.8
Arizona $ 132.7
Northwestern $ 131.8
Texas Tech $ 128.8
Maryland $ 128.7
Utah $ 125.2

61-70
USF $ 122.1
Syracuse $ 120.8
**Cincinnati $ 119.3
West Virginia $ 117.4
Wake Forest $ 114.6
**UCF $ 108.9
Oregon St. $ 104.8
Iowa St. $ 103.9
Kansas St. $ 103.0
**Houston $ 100.1

71-80
UConn $ 97.1
San Diego St. $ 89.8
Boise St. $ 89.7
Washington St. $ 82.2
UNLV $ 77.3
Temple $ 71.2
Rice $ 70.4
James Madison $ 68.4
East Carolina $ 68.0
Tulane $ 66.2

81-90
Memphis $ 65.9
Delaware $ 65.5
Fresno St. $ 63.4
Liberty $ 62.1
New Mexico $ 61.1
Tulsa $ 59.8
North Texas $ 58.1
UMass $ 57.7
Colorado St. $ 55.8
Charlotte $ 55.0

91-100
UTSA $ 54.4
Hawaii $ 53.8
Nevada $ 53.2
Old Dominion $ 53.2
Texas St. $ 52.2
Wyoming $ 50.4
Buffalo $ 50.0
Fla. Atlantic $ 49.3
Utah St. $ 48.3
Coastal Carolina $ 47.0

101-110
Marshall $ 47.0
Sacramento St $ 46.3
App State $ 44.9
UAB $ 43.9
Western Mich. $ 43.7
Louisiana $ 42.9
San Jose St. $ 42.9
FIU $ 42.4
Kennesaw St. $ 42.3
Miami (OH) $ 41.2

111-120
Georgia St. $ 40.0
Middle Tenn. $ 40.0
Troy $ 39.7
Toledo $ 39.5
Eastern Mich. $ 38.9
Central Mich. $ 38.5
Ga. Southern $ 38.1
Kent St. $ 37.2
New Mexico St. $ 37.1
Bowling Green $ 35.3

121-130
North Dakota St $ 34.8
Jacksonville St. $ 34.6
NIU $ 34.3
Louisiana Tech $ 34.0
Arkansas St. $ 33.8
Akron $ 33.6
Ohio $ 33.0
South Alabama $ 32.6
UTEP $ 32.4
Sam Houston $ 32.0

131-135
Southern Miss. $ 31.9
Western Ky. $ 31.3
Ball St. $ 30.3
Missouri St. $ 28.1
ULM $ 20.6

** “Half-share” payouts from conference distributions

^^ SMU receives no media contract portion in their conference distributions

^^^^ALL schools (public & PRIVATE) are required to self-report these EADA (US Dept of Education) figures each year. Other revenue figures obtained from public school's financial and tax documents (FOIA requests) may vary for some schools. However, this EADA database is worthwhile to report since it is standardized and includes all private schools as well.

Yeah, according to those numbers it puts them at about 15th in the Big 12. If consistent that will tell over time. Gotta figure they will not scrimp on paying for basketball though.

 

[Passing Is For COMMIES]

I had AI to sort this data for the top 25 schools based purely on AD revenue, no other allocated revenue sources and Iowa came in at 22.

Note: This includes donations which is why Texas and others are so high. Texas for example had a huge one time 9 figure donation to update facilities.

Iowa was 17th in donations.

Top 50 Schools by Generated Athletic Revenue (FY 2025)

Rank [1, 2, 4, 5, 6]	School	Generated Revenue (Est.)
1	Texas	$332.0M
2	Texas A&M	$266.0M
3	Ohio State	$255.0M
4	Georgia	$242.0M
5	USC	$242.0M
6	Michigan	$239.0M
7	Alabama	$235.0M
8	Notre Dame	$235.0M
9	Tennessee	$234.0M
10	Nebraska	$221.0M
11	LSU	$220.0M
12	Penn State	$220.0M
13	Oklahoma	$209.0M
14	South Carolina	$204.6M
15	Kentucky	$202.0M
16	Florida	$200.0M
17	Stanford	$200.0M
18	Auburn	$194.0M
19	Clemson	$193.0M
20	Wisconsin	$191.0M
21	Illinois	$174.0M
22	Iowa	$173.0M
23	Kansas	$173.7M
24	Arkansas	$171.0M
25	Michigan State	$170.6M

 

[Franisdaman]

So Iowa really underachieves when they lose to them.

I would argue that there are a lot of schools that are not getting a lot of bang for their buck, starting with Texas, Tennessee and Penn State. Notre Dame men's basketball hasn't done anything in a very long time as well.

1-10
Texas $ 343.1
Ohio St. $ 295.3
Notre Dame $ 289.6
Tennessee $ 285.4
Penn St. $ 254.4
Alabama $ 244.6
Michigan $ 236.4
Texas A&M $ 235.5
Oklahoma $ 234.4
USC $ 234.0

11-20
Georgia $ 233.5
Miami (FL) $ 230.5
LSU $ 223.4
Nebraska $ 205.8
Auburn $ 205.3
South Carolina $ 204.6
Florida $ 199.2
Arkansas $ 195.9
Stanford $ 192.8
Florida St. $ 192.7

21-30
Wisconsin $ 190.5
Kentucky $ 186.6
Clemson $ 186.1
Indiana $ 182.1
Duke $ 181.6
Missouri $ 181.1
North Carolina $ 180.8
Iowa $ 180.0

 

[Franisdaman]

Skip ahead to the 10:16 mark in the video linked below.

Keith Murphy says it best: "You can't love this if you are an Iowa State fan and you see Iowa State down there at 14th [in the 16 team Big 12]."

(#31 overall).......1. Kansas ($173.7M)
(#37 overall).......2. Colorado ($161.7M)
(#41 overall).......3. TCU ($156.0M)
(#43 overall).......4. Oklahoma State ($153.7M)
(#44 overall).......5. BYU ($153.4M)
(#50 overall).......6. Arizona State ($149.3M)
(#52 overall).......7. Baylor ($144.1M)
(#56 overall).......8. Arizona ($132.7M)
(#58 overall).......9. Texas Tech ($128.8M)
(#60 overall) 10. Utah ($125.2M)
(#63 overall) 11. Cincinnati ($119.3M)
(#64 overall) 12. West Virginia ($117.4M)
(#66 overall) 13. UCF ($108.9M)
(#68 overall)..14. Iowa State ($103.9M)
(#69 overall) 15. Kansas State ($103.0M)
(#70 overall) 16. Houston ($100.1M)

 

[Franisdaman]

Top NET REVENUE SURPLUS (Total Rev -Total Exp) FBS athletic programs for FY25 per EADA reports:

Texas: $65.7
Notre Dame: $44.9
Iowa: $29.1
Indiana: $22.8
Penn St: $22.7
Boise St: $19.9
BYU: $16.5
Purdue: $15.4
Alabama: $14.6
Michigan: $14.3
Kansas: $13.8
Wash St: $13.7
Syracuse: $11.8
Wisconsin: $10.0
Minnesota: $10.0
Auburn: $ 9.3
Nebraska: $ 7.3
Texas A&M: $ 7.2
NC St: $6.8
Georgia: $6.8
Utah: $6.5
UCF: $5.3

 

[LaQuintaHawk]

Top NET REVENUE SURPLUS (Total Rev -Total Exp) FBS athletic programs for FY25 per EADA reports:

Texas: $65.7
Notre Dame: $44.9
Iowa: $29.1
Indiana: $22.8
Penn St: $22.7

I would assume a large portion of that should be used to go to paying down that $50M state loan.

 

[Franisdaman]

I would assume a large portion of that should be used to go to paying down that $50M state loan.

At that very low interest rate.

But I am thinking $29.1M is what's left over even after the loan expenses.

 

[Cidhawkeye]

I would assume a large portion of that should be used to go to paying down that $50M state loan.

Thought it was a school loan but I probably just missed the joke. I like having that loan out there, gives the isu fans something to be bothered by.

 

[rchawk]

Thought it was a school loan but I probably just missed the joke. I like having that loan out there, gives the isu fans something to be bothered by.

It is a loan from the University of Iowa. The general fund?

 

[LaQuintaHawk]

It is a loan from the University of Iowa. The general fund?

I stand corrected, not a “state” loan…but I could have sworn it had to be approved by state officials. Guess I was wrong?

From Google AI:
“In early 2021, the University of Iowa main campus loaned $50 million from its cash reserves to its Athletics Department to cover a projected $75 million pandemic-related deficit.”

 

[83Hawk]

I stand corrected, not a “state” loan…but I could have sworn it had to be approved by state officials. Guess I was wrong?

From Google AI:
“In early 2021, the University of Iowa main campus loaned $50 million from its cash reserves to its Athletics Department to cover a projected $75 million pandemic-related deficit.”

Basically the University borrowing from itself.

 

[Franisdaman]

I stand corrected, not a “state” loan…but I could have sworn it had to be approved by state officials. Guess I was wrong?

From Google AI:
“In early 2021, the University of Iowa main campus loaned $50 million from its cash reserves to its Athletics Department to cover a projected $75 million pandemic-related deficit.”

It's funny how Clown fans have suddenly disappeared. Clown U's financial future looks bleak and they know it. The numbers don't lie.

If Iowa were in the Big 12, they'd be #1 in the Big 12 in total revenue.

(#28 overall)............ IOWA ($180.0M)

The Big 12 Total Revenue Rankings:
(#31 overall).......1. Kansas ($173.7M)
(#37 overall).......2. Colorado ($161.7M)
(#41 overall).......3. TCU ($156.0M)
(#43 overall).......4. Oklahoma State ($153.7M)
(#44 overall).......5. BYU ($153.4M)
(#50 overall).......6. Arizona State ($149.3M)
(#52 overall).......7. Baylor ($144.1M)
(#56 overall).......8. Arizona ($132.7M)
(#58 overall).......9. Texas Tech ($128.8M)
(#60 overall) 10. Utah ($125.2M)
(#63 overall) 11. Cincinnati ($119.3M)
(#64 overall) 12. West Virginia ($117.4M)
(#66 overall) 13. UCF ($108.9M)
(#68 overall)..14. Iowa State ($103.9M)
(#69 overall) 15. Kansas State ($103.0M)
(#70 overall) 16. Houston ($100.1M)

 

[kmurpny]

The revenue for Iowa roughly correlates to where Iowa is as a program nationally.

 

[LaQuintaHawk]

If Iowa were in the Big 12, they'd be #1 in the Big 12 in total revenue.

That’s not quite accurate since you’d have to adjust Iowa’s tv/media payout and revenue shared from the CFP. This would drastically reduce their overall income.

Being a member of the BigTen has its advantages

 

[LaQuintaHawk]

The revenue for Iowa roughly correlates to where Iowa is as a program nationally.

Nah, you can easily move Iowa up another 5-6 spots on where they are as a program nationally.

Take programs like Nebraska, Kentucky and Duke (along with a few others) and drop them below Iowa.

 

[Hawktech]

Top NET REVENUE SURPLUS (Total Rev -Total Exp) FBS athletic programs for FY25 per EADA reports:

Texas: $65.7
Notre Dame: $44.9
Iowa: $29.1
Indiana: $22.8
Penn St: $22.7
Boise St: $19.9
BYU: $16.5
Purdue: $15.4
Alabama: $14.6
Michigan: $14.3
Kansas: $13.8
Wash St: $13.7
Syracuse: $11.8
Wisconsin: $10.0
Minnesota: $10.0
Auburn: $ 9.3
Nebraska: $ 7.3
Texas A&M: $ 7.2
NC St: $6.8
Georgia: $6.8
Utah: $6.5
UCF: $5.3

I guess we have some very good accounting!!!

 

[Franisdaman]

I guess we have some very good accounting!!!

It does make you wonder how schools like Clown U are going to survive long term in Division I athletics when their revenues are so low. Clown U is already putting off the Hilton & wrestling practice facility projects. What other cuts are coming to make up for the projected massive deficits?

Clown U facing a $147 million budget deficit through 2031; will postpone Hilton Coliseum renovation & construction of new Wrestling Practice Facility

Gotta feel bad for Clown U both now and for their future. ;) It is time they drop to FCS. The story from the Gazette: Facing $147M deficit, ISU Athletics halts Hilton Coliseum renovation, ups Ticket Prices Vanessa Miller Cedar Rapids Gazette Jul. 24, 2025 AMES — Iowa State University...

www.on3.com

 

[Palmerhawk]

Wonder what ISU 's surplus(,deficit) is for the year?
How red is their ink?

 

[Franisdaman]

Wonder what ISU 's surplus(,deficit) is for the year?
How red is their ink?

Looks like for FY 2025 they were short around $25M (covered by their cash reserves).

Note that for FY 2026, they are projecting a deficit of $26.7M (covered again by their cash reserves).

What follows is from July 24, 2025. As you will read, Clown U was facing a $147M budget deficit through 2031, or just under $25M annually over the next 6 years.

“ISU is engaging with the Big 12 Conference, ISU Foundation, sponsors, donors and other partners to explore additional opportunities to create growth in revenue sufficient to overcome future anticipated revenue shortfalls and to otherwise support the continued success and viability of the ISU athletics program,” department officials reported.

“Historically, (ISU) Athletics operated as a self-sufficient operation transferring the funds necessary to cover operating costs in the current fiscal year,” according to the board report.

“Prior to FY 2025, under the current administration, ISU Athletics had not incurred an operating deficit other than the COVID impacted season, which was absorbed by cash reserves.”

The 2026 budget needed a one-time $26.7 million transfer from the ISU Foundation to remain balanced.

“Going forward the cash reserves for athletics within the Foundation will not be sufficient to cover an operating deficit for FY 2027 and beyond,” ISU officials report.

Given the increase in expenses, the total FY 2026 budget for Iowa State is projected to increase 24% to $141.1M.

Clown U facing a $147 million budget deficit through 2031; will postpone Hilton Coliseum renovation & construction of new Wrestling Practice Facility

Gotta feel bad for Clown U both now and for their future. ;) It is time they drop to FCS. The story from the Gazette: Facing $147M deficit, ISU Athletics halts Hilton Coliseum renovation, ups Ticket Prices Vanessa Miller Cedar Rapids Gazette Jul. 24, 2025 AMES — Iowa State University...

www.on3.com

 

[rchawk]

Looks like for FY 2025 they were short around $25M (covered by their cash reserves).

Note that for FY 2026, they are projecting a deficit of $26.7M (covered again by their cash reserves).

What follows is from July 24, 2025. As you will read, Clown U was facing a $147M budget deficit through 2031, or just under $25M annually over the next 6 years.

“ISU is engaging with the Big 12 Conference, ISU Foundation, sponsors, donors and other partners to explore additional opportunities to create growth in revenue sufficient to overcome future anticipated revenue shortfalls and to otherwise support the continued success and viability of the ISU athletics program,” department officials reported.

“Historically, (ISU) Athletics operated as a self-sufficient operation transferring the funds necessary to cover operating costs in the current fiscal year,” according to the board report.

“Prior to FY 2025, under the current administration, ISU Athletics had not incurred an operating deficit other than the COVID impacted season, which was absorbed by cash reserves.”

The 2026 budget needed a one-time $26.7 million transfer from the ISU Foundation to remain balanced.

“Going forward the cash reserves for athletics within the Foundation will not be sufficient to cover an operating deficit for FY 2027 and beyond,” ISU officials report.

Given the increase in expenses, the total FY 2026 budget for Iowa State is projected to increase 24% to $141.1M.

Clown U facing a $147 million budget deficit through 2031; will postpone Hilton Coliseum renovation & construction of new Wrestling Practice Facility

Gotta feel bad for Clown U both now and for their future. ;) It is time they drop to FCS. The story from the Gazette: Facing $147M deficit, ISU Athletics halts Hilton Coliseum renovation, ups Ticket Prices Vanessa Miller Cedar Rapids Gazette Jul. 24, 2025 AMES — Iowa State University...

www.on3.com

If the clowns don't make the cut for the eventual merger of the ACC and Big 12, the PAC 12 is looking for new members.

True, it will be a long road trip for games in Fresno, but spirited rivalries are sure to develop.

 

[Hawktech]

It does make you wonder how schools like Clown U are going to survive long term in Division I athletics when their revenues are so low. Clown U is already putting off the Hilton & wrestling practice facility projects. What other cuts are coming to make up for the projected massive deficits?

Clown U facing a $147 million budget deficit through 2031; will postpone Hilton Coliseum renovation & construction of new Wrestling Practice Facility

Gotta feel bad for Clown U both now and for their future. ;) It is time they drop to FCS. The story from the Gazette: Facing $147M deficit, ISU Athletics halts Hilton Coliseum renovation, ups Ticket Prices Vanessa Miller Cedar Rapids Gazette Jul. 24, 2025 AMES — Iowa State University...

www.on3.com

The Cyclowns athletic department BORROWED $30M from a venture capitalist. They must have a very low credit rating... Venture capitalists are some of the highest rates around.

 

[rchawk]

The Cyclowns athletic department BORROWED $30M from a venture capitalist. They must have a very low credit rating... Venture capitalists are some of the highest rates around.

Are you sure about that? I know that they could borrow $30 mil, but have seen no information that they did.

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

It's funny how Clown fans have suddenly disappeared. Clown U's financial future looks bleak and they know it. The numbers don't lie.

If Iowa were in the Big 12, they'd be #1 in the Big 12 in total revenue.

(#28 overall)............ IOWA ($180.0M)

The Big 12 Total Revenue Rankings:
(#31 overall).......1. Kansas ($173.7M)
(#37 overall).......2. Colorado ($161.7M)
(#41 overall).......3. TCU ($156.0M)
(#43 overall).......4. Oklahoma State ($153.7M)
(#44 overall).......5. BYU ($153.4M)
(#50 overall).......6. Arizona State ($149.3M)
(#52 overall).......7. Baylor ($144.1M)
(#56 overall).......8. Arizona ($132.7M)
(#58 overall).......9. Texas Tech ($128.8M)
(#60 overall) 10. Utah ($125.2M)
(#63 overall) 11. Cincinnati ($119.3M)
(#64 overall) 12. West Virginia ($117.4M)
(#66 overall) 13. UCF ($108.9M)
(#68 overall)..14. Iowa State ($103.9M)
(#69 overall) 15. Kansas State ($103.0M)
(#70 overall) 16. Houston ($100.1M)

I’m guessing this was the deciding factor in Matt Campbell choosing to leave Ames. The window of opportunity was closing fast.

 

[Franisdaman]

I’m guessing this was the deciding factor in Matt Campbell choosing to leave Ames. The window of opportunity was closing fast.

I think Campbell is a good coach. It will be interesting to see how he does with all of the resources he now has at his disposal.

 

[kmurpny]

Nah, you can easily move Iowa up another 5-6 spots on where they are as a program nationally.

Take programs like Nebraska, Kentucky and Duke (along with a few others) and drop them below Iowa.

Maybe but how ma

Nah, you can easily move Iowa up another 5-6 spots on where they are as a program nationally.

Take programs like Nebraska, Kentucky and Duke (along with a few others) and drop them below Iow

Maybe. I think we have finished top 25 seven times in the past ten years. Unranked three. Twice in top 20.