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Rutgers Athletics Deficit Hits Record

Knight Shift

Knight Shift

Heisman
May 19, 2011
88,565
86,582
113


For instance, football ticket sales were flat from the 2023 to 2024 seasons, slightly decreasing to $9.248 million from $9.242 million.

Rutgers football spent a record amount in 2024-25, totaling $76 million after a $64.4 million tally the year prior. Key expenditures included $17 million in coaching salaries, $11.1 million in support-staff salaries, $4.5 million in student-athlete meals and a $2 million recruiting budget.



“It’s high based upon what you’re seeing us pulling in from a revenue standpoint with football,” Zinn said.


sarcastic seth meyers GIF by Late Night with Seth Meyers

www.nj.com

Rutgers athletics hits record $78 million deficit. New AD says ‘It’s got to get better.’

The school spent a record $193 million on athletics even as its deficit grows
www.nj.com www.nj.com
 
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Retired711

Heisman
Nov 20, 2001
19,971
10,149
58
Fat Koko said:
Yes. See B1G media rights revenue below.
View attachment 1164846
Click to expand...
Are there going to be increases beyond the 2025 level of roughly $61 million? If not, that $78 million deficit isn't going to go down that much. (I assume -- maybe wrongly --that the 2024-25 figures include half the 2024 TV revenue and half the 2025 TV revenue.)
 
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djrc89

All-Conference
Aug 4, 2001
3,567
2,787
92
I thought it was fine too. Maybe we’re just used to it. What we also know, but to me was the biggest gut punch was… fan donations. We’re at 8 million while the AVERAGE is 33 million. I guess I’d like to see what the mean is. But that’s brutal to read. I’m dubious as to whether we can get ever be competitive despite the fact that I keep hearing we have money
 
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RUTGERS95

RUTGERS95

Heisman
Sep 28, 2005
30,970
44,164
113
needs a complete reshuffle and reorg not to mention the accounting side of things needs to be more aligned

Give the fans a product and the donations and ticket sales go up. need to better market the school, program and more

football is all that matters, all resources should go there and we should cut Olympic sports and wbb
 
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Fat Koko

Fat Koko

All-Conference
Nov 28, 2022
3,545
2,942
73
Retired711 said:
Are there going to be increases beyond the 2025 level of roughly $61 million? If not, that $78 million deficit isn't going to go down that much. (I assume -- maybe wrongly --that the 2024-25 figures include half the 2024 TV revenue and half the 2025 TV revenue.)
Click to expand...
The B1G media rights contract has not been made public. I have not seen it. Other sponsorship deals, such as SHI and Jersey Mike's naming rights, contain annual increases.

Another way to look at B1G revenue is total conference distributions to Rutgers. Maybe amounts from the second line item - conf distributions (non media, non football bowl) were allocated to the other line items in 2025.

Yes, the amounts are fiscal years, so fiscal 2025 is July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.

The reason the athletic department deficit keeps rising is football program spending is spiraling out of control.

1769448454633.png
 
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ScarletKid2008

Heisman
Sep 8, 2006
8,038
10,533
113
I used to beat the donations drum as hard as anyone. In fact I’ve actively led many fundraising efforts at RU.

but the spirit of NIL now combined with the lack of hope or excitement surrounding any of our programs is very very low (and that’s saying a lot for Rutgers ) . I just can’t see how anyone feels motivated to give money to Rutgers athletics right now, unless you’re giving directly to NIL.

and personally I strongly disagree with how NIL works and is handled in college athletics right now. I can’t justify giving any amount of money to pay these kids six+ figures for one year rentals (and still not win enough to entertain us) , while I have kids and a family at home.
 
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Caliknight

Caliknight

Hall of Famer
Sep 21, 2001
196,383
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Retired711 said:
Are there going to be increases beyond the 2025 level of roughly $61 million? If not, that $78 million deficit isn't going to go down that much. (I assume -- maybe wrongly --that the 2024-25 figures include half the 2024 TV revenue and half the 2025 TV revenue.)
Click to expand...
B1G media rights are increasing significantly over the next 5 years. Payouts are expected to reach the $80-$100MM mark.

Football can't be a blackhole. Continuously spending like teams that win while not winning is not acceptable.
 
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Caliknight

Caliknight

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Sep 21, 2001
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RUTGERS95 said:
needs a complete reshuffle and reorg not to mention the accounting side of things needs to be more aligned

Give the fans a product and the donations and ticket sales go up. need to better market the school, program and more

football is all that matters, all resources should go there and we should cut Olympic sports and wbb
Click to expand...
We'd be kicked out of the NCAA and the B1G if we tried that lol
 
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RUTGERS95

RUTGERS95

Heisman
Sep 28, 2005
30,970
44,164
113
RU206 said:
$78M of a $5.9B annual school budget.
Click to expand...
exactly
the school has plenty of areas of froth starting with all the unnecessary admin roles. Football may be the best marketing arm of the school and all resources need to go there.

I'd absolutely shyyyytcan then entire public communications and marketing department if I were Tate.
 
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Caliknight

Caliknight

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Sep 21, 2001
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RUTGERS95 said:
no we've got more programs than many of our peers. I get the wbb with all the social bs but it's absolute sunk cost
Click to expand...
You can call it what you want but if they tried to do what you said, we wouldn't even have a football team. And I agree, we should cut some programs. I wouldn't hold your breath. AD Zinn has way too much on her plate to use the political capital to do that.

The biggest issue is football losing and the huge investments being made in doing so. Schiano needs to start winning and spending less money while doing so.
 
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RUTGERS95

RUTGERS95

Heisman
Sep 28, 2005
30,970
44,164
113
Caliknight said:
You can call it what you want but if they tried to do what you said, we wouldn't even have a football team. And I agree, we should cut some programs. I wouldn't hold your breath. AD Zinn has way too much on her plate to use the political capital to do that.

The biggest issue is football losing and the huge investments being made in doing so. Schiano needs to start winning and spending less money while doing so.
Click to expand...
I don't disagree:)
 
K

kupuna133

All-American
Jul 13, 2015
6,804
7,569
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Knight Shift said:


For instance, football ticket sales were flat from the 2023 to 2024 seasons, slightly decreasing to $9.248 million from $9.242 million.

Rutgers football spent a record amount in 2024-25, totaling $76 million after a $64.4 million tally the year prior. Key expenditures included $17 million in coaching salaries, $11.1 million in support-staff salaries, $4.5 million in student-athlete meals and a $2 million recruiting budget.



“It’s high based upon what you’re seeing us pulling in from a revenue standpoint with football,” Zinn said.


sarcastic seth meyers GIF by Late Night with Seth Meyers

www.nj.com

Rutgers athletics hits record $78 million deficit. New AD says ‘It’s got to get better.’

The school spent a record $193 million on athletics even as its deficit grows
www.nj.com www.nj.com
Click to expand...

Issue lies in the second paragraph. $25mm on coach and support staff salaries. Considering Indiana 2025 did what they did on $7mm for on field staff and $5mm for support staff.

Wait those numbers above are wrong got them via grok. Indianas real numbers are below. Close but less than grok reported.

 
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Rhuarc

All-American
Jul 25, 2001
6,459
7,005
113
kupuna133 said:
Issue lies in the second paragraph. $25mm on coach and support staff salaries. Considering Indiana 2025 did what they did on $7mm for on field staff and $5mm for support staff.

Wait those numbers above are wrong got them via grok. Indianas real numbers are below. Close but less than grok reported.

Click to expand...
Sounds like typical management issues. Too much fluff with the middle men.
 
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Rhuarc

All-American
Jul 25, 2001
6,459
7,005
113
djrc89 said:
I thought it was fine too. Maybe we’re just used to it. What we also know, but to me was the biggest gut punch was… fan donations. We’re at 8 million while the AVERAGE is 33 million. I guess I’d like to see what the mean is. But that’s brutal to read. I’m dubious as to whether we can get ever be competitive despite the fact that I keep hearing we have money
Click to expand...
I would donate more if there was some movement that gained traction or others cared. Right now, I'm not giving more without something to give me hope that we will succeed.
 
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ru109

All-American
Sep 18, 2011
6,909
5,425
113
Knight Shift said:


For instance, football ticket sales were flat from the 2023 to 2024 seasons, slightly decreasing to $9.248 million from $9.242 million.

Rutgers football spent a record amount in 2024-25, totaling $76 million after a $64.4 million tally the year prior. Key expenditures included $17 million in coaching salaries, $11.1 million in support-staff salaries, $4.5 million in student-athlete meals and a $2 million recruiting budget.



“It’s high based upon what you’re seeing us pulling in from a revenue standpoint with football,” Zinn said.


sarcastic seth meyers GIF by Late Night with Seth Meyers

www.nj.com

Rutgers athletics hits record $78 million deficit. New AD says ‘It’s got to get better.’

The school spent a record $193 million on athletics even as its deficit grows
www.nj.com www.nj.com
Click to expand...

I would like to see a comparison between us and say Illinois or another middle of the pack team. I'd like to see how our expenses and revenue line up just to see if there are any large discrepancies.
 
N

NickRU714

Heisman
Aug 18, 2009
14,006
12,811
113
ScarletKid2008 said:
I used to beat the donations drum as hard as anyone. In fact I’ve actively led many fundraising efforts at RU.

but the spirit of NIL now combined with the lack of hope or excitement surrounding any of our programs is very very low (and that’s saying a lot for Rutgers ) . I just can’t see how anyone feels motivated to give money to Rutgers athletics right now, unless you’re giving directly to NIL.

and personally I strongly disagree with how NIL works and is handled in college athletics right now. I can’t justify giving any amount of money to pay these kids six+ figures for one year rentals (and still not win enough to entertain us) , while I have kids and a family at home.
Click to expand...

Can I ask how you justified giving any amount of money to the Atheltic Department to pay these coaches 7+ figures per yearbfor multiple years (and still not win enough to entertain us) while you had kids and a family at home?

I just dont understand why paying athletes is immoral (when that money could be better spent on other things) while paying coaches more money for more years for the same results as the athlete's is okay.

"I'm not giving money to pay Francis. I'll give money to pay HC Pike though."
 
R

Retired711

Heisman
Nov 20, 2001
19,971
10,149
58
Caliknight said:
B1G media rights are increasing significantly over the next 5 years. Payouts are expected to reach the $80-$100MM mark.

Football can't be a blackhole. Continuously spending like teams that win while not winning is not acceptable.
Click to expand...
Even at a $100 M payout, that's a big deficit. After all, costs will go on as well, although (we all hope) not as much as revenues.

Your second paragraph is absolutely correct. But will Rutgers think the deficit is OK if GS can consistently lead the team to minor bowls? Who knows? The new administration talks a good game: but what is it prepared to do?
 
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Knight Shift

Knight Shift

Heisman
May 19, 2011
88,565
86,582
113
djrc89 said:
I thought it was fine too. Maybe we’re just used to it. What we also know, but to me was the biggest gut punch was… fan donations. We’re at 8 million while the AVERAGE is 33 million. I guess I’d like to see what the mean is. But that’s brutal to read. I’m dubious as to whether we can get ever be competitive despite the fact that I keep hearing we have money
Click to expand...
The way they alienate donors, it is no surprise.
 
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Retired711

Heisman
Nov 20, 2001
19,971
10,149
58
Caliknight said:
We'd be kicked out of the NCAA and the B1G if we tried that lol
Click to expand...
And we'd be sued, and we would lose. The Trump Administration probably wouldn't care, but the Supreme Court has held that private individuals can sue to enforce the requirements of Title IX.
 
R

RU206

All-American
Jan 23, 2015
5,114
5,158
113
A few data points from the article:
Total Spend: $193M
$146M in total revenue. Which include ($61M from B1G media, and $10M conference bowl fund).

Shortfall of $47M (not $78M).
If you include the following it adds up to $78M.
$7M from school annual budget
$8M from state annual budget
$15M from student fees.

ideally over the next 3-5 years the goal should be to cut the $47 M shortfall by cutting spending by $20M and increase revenue by $30M which would include the increase from B1G.

Once that happens, the following 3-5 years should be to tackle the $15M student fees.
The $7M from school budget and $8M from state budget should be increased. Thats a drop in the bucket for both. The school and State should kick in more than $15M for athletics.
 
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Knight Shift

Knight Shift

Heisman
May 19, 2011
88,565
86,582
113
kupuna133 said:
Issue lies in the second paragraph. $25mm on coach and support staff salaries. Considering Indiana 2025 did what they did on $7mm for on field staff and $5mm for support staff.

Wait those numbers above are wrong got them via grok. Indianas real numbers are below. Close but less than grok reported.

Click to expand...
I count $28.1 Million. "$17 million in coaching salaries, $11.1 million in support-staff salaries."

Fairly Oddparents Burn GIF
 
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Caliknight

Caliknight

Hall of Famer
Sep 21, 2001
196,383
148,413
113
Retired711 said:
And we'd be sued, and we would lose. The Trump Administration probably wouldn't care, but the Supreme Court has held that private individuals can sue to enforce the requirements of Title IX.
Click to expand...
Huh? The Trump Administration is heavily behind Title 9. See their response to men pretending to be women and invading their sports spaces.
 
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RU206

All-American
Jan 23, 2015
5,114
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Just my opinion but cutting programs is not the answer. I actually prefer more programs. Title 9 is real and women’s programs shouldn’t be cut either.

I hope Zinn is up for the challenge. She seems like a good person and all of her answers have been good so far. This athletic department needs to bring in more revenue and she needs to lead the charge. Zinn seems to have quickly built a strong relationship with the previous governor and needs to do the same with the current. Tate as well. The State needs to support RU more. Not just athletics, but overall funding to all 3 campus.
Football and basketball need to start winning. That will drive ticket sales, sponsorship, and overall revenue. A winning football program is good for the state and university.
 
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Fat Koko

Fat Koko

All-Conference
Nov 28, 2022
3,545
2,942
73
Caliknight said:
Huh? The Trump Administration is heavily behind Title 9. See their response to men pretending to be women and invading their sports spaces.
Click to expand...
Title IX:

The GAO reported that at 93% of colleges and universities, women are underrepresented in sports. See attachment.

Few people care.

Rutgers has a Title IX office employing five. The most recent annual report shows just 2 of 268 Title IX accusations found a person responsible for violating Title IX.

Title IX is a joke.




1765566583386.png
 
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