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Rutgers Athletics Deficit Hits Record

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RUgal

Senior
Oct 15, 2025
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Two interesting things they’re working on:

“Last week, the NCAA approved a proposal that will permit Division I sports programs to place additional commercial logos or patches on uniforms beginning next season. We’re already having good conversations with some folks about that alone,” Zinn said.”

“Zinn said her priorities from a facilities standpoint would be to study ways to build club level and premium seating options for both SHI Stadium and Jersey Mike’s Arena.”

I have a lot of faith in Zinn. If she can’t make inroads, I question whether anyone can.
 
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R

RU206

All-American
Jan 23, 2015
5,114
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Kbe4 said:
And how does that compare to other Big 10 schools ? You know...the competition ?
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I don’t know anything about other schools funding. But it would be nice to know the following.
- overall school budget compared to RU $5.9B
- overall athletic budget compared to RU $193M
- overall revenue from B1G
- overall revenue from tickets sales, sponsorships etc
-overall athletic donations. (Obviously will be higher than RU)
- overall school funding from State government
-overall athletic funding from state government
- total number of programs. (Men vs women)
- Do they have an athletic shortfall or profit.
- do they collect student fees for athletics and if so how much.
 
RUnotentertained

RUnotentertained

Junior
Jan 10, 2026
242
253
63
RUgal said:
Two interesting things they’re working on:

“Last week, the NCAA approved a proposal that will permit Division I sports programs to place additional commercial logos or patches on uniforms beginning next season. We’re already having good conversations with some folks about that alone,” Zinn said.”

“Zinn said her priorities from a facilities standpoint would be to study ways to build club level and premium seating options for both SHI Stadium and Jersey Mike’s Arena.”

I have a lot of faith in Zinn. If she can’t make inroads, I question whether anyone can.
Click to expand...



1769456052299.jpeg
 
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Fat Koko

Fat Koko

All-Conference
Nov 28, 2022
3,545
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ru109 said:
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.
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2025 figures are not available for all of the 16 B1G public schools. That will take a few more weeks.

If 2022, 2023, and 2024 are an indication, Rutgers will be dead last in revenues and middle of the pack in expenses, compared to other B1G schools.

Rutgers biggest revenue weaknesses, relative to other B1G schools are ticket sales and donations. I attached the 2023 and 2024, using two year totals because single year amounts can be skewed by home football schedules and big one-off donations.

1769456203453.png
 
RUTGERS95

RUTGERS95

Heisman
Sep 28, 2005
30,970
44,164
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.
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it's not title ix, title ix is about access, not pairing the equality.
 
R

RU206

All-American
Jan 23, 2015
5,114
5,158
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Fat Koko said:
2025 figures are not available for all of the 16 B1G public schools. That will take a few more weeks.

If 2022, 2023, and 2024 are an indication, Rutgers will be dead last in revenues and middle of the pack in expenses, compared to other B1G schools.

Rutgers biggest revenue weaknesses, relative to other B1G schools are ticket sales and donations. I attached the 2023 and 2024, using two year totals because single year amounts can be skewed by home football schedules and big one-off donations.

View attachment 1165138
Click to expand...
Expect Indiana to move up quickly when 2025 are added in
 
Fat Koko

Fat Koko

All-Conference
Nov 28, 2022
3,545
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RU206 said:
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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Keli isn't going to cut her department's spending by $20 million or increase revenue by $30 million.

“We are very careful not to put ourselves in a competitive or recruiting disadvantage compared to our peer institutions and those that we compete against,” Zinn said. “And so you have to be really careful about trying to cut your way out of an issue because if you get behind in that, then you've got some real significant challenges that then ultimately do impact your revenue.”

The 2025 figures show fiscal year 2025, July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. The $20.5 million in pay-to-play Rutgers and other B1G peers are paying will show up in fiscal 2026 figures. I expect the deficit to balloon to $90 million in 2026. How does Keli cut $20 million from an expense bill with a new, structural $20.5 million pay-to-play expense.

The best way for Keli to increase revenue is to sell more football tickets at higher prices and receive more donations. Both will be uphill battles.

RU206 said:
Expect Indiana to move up quickly when 2025 are added in
Click to expand...

You will be surprised what Indiana football accomplished in fiscal 2025 when figures are made public. Curt made college football playoff and did it with less $$ than Greg.
 
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K

Kbe4

Senior
Nov 25, 2025
461
463
63
Fat Koko said:
2025 figures are not available for all of the 16 B1G public schools. That will take a few more weeks.

If 2022, 2023, and 2024 are an indication, Rutgers will be dead last in revenues and middle of the pack in expenses, compared to other B1G schools.

Rutgers biggest revenue weaknesses, relative to other B1G schools are ticket sales and donations. I attached the 2023 and 2024, using two year totals because single year amounts can be skewed by home football schedules and big one-off donations.

View attachment 1165138
Click to expand...
Wow. Looking at those numbers I can't figure why Rutgers has managed to slip so far behind.
Even Minnesota and Purdue $ make this program look so sad.
 
R

Retired711

Heisman
Nov 20, 2001
19,971
10,149
58
RUTGERS95 said:
it's not title ix, title ix is about access, not pairing the equality.
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That strikes me as a distinction without a difference. Title IX says that schools have to provide equal athletic opportunity to men and women. Let me quote what the Department of Education says:

"If a school operates or sponsors an athletic program, it must provide equal athletic opportunities for students. In determining whether equal athletic opportunities are available, OCR [the Office of Civil Rights] considers whether an institution is effectively accommodating the athletic interests and abilities of students. OCR also considers whether a school is providing equivalent benefits, opportunities, and treatment to its students, specifically with respect to equipment and supplies; game and practice times; travel and per diem allowances; coaching and academic tutoring; assignment and compensation of coaches and tutors; locker rooms, practice and competitive facilities; medical and training facilities and services; housing and dining facilities and services; and publicity. The Title IX regulations specify that if a school awards athletic financial assistance, it must provide reasonable opportunities for awards for members of each sex in substantial proportion to the number of students of each sex participating in interscholastic or intercollegiate athletics."

https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/civil-rights-laws/frequently-asked-questions-sex-discrimination

That means that a school has to provide participation opportunities that are proportionate for each gender or "show that the interests and abilities of the members of that sex have been fully and effectively accommodated by the present program."

https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/civil-rights-laws/protecting-students/athletics

The upshot is that Rutgers, like everyone else, can't abolish or even cut back much on women's sports.
 
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R

Retired711

Heisman
Nov 20, 2001
19,971
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58
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.
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I'm not sure I follow, but the result is the same: Rutgers can't walk away from women's sports as a way to cut the deficit.
 
Caliknight

Caliknight

Hall of Famer
Sep 21, 2001
196,383
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Retired711 said:
I'm not sure I follow, but the result is the same: Rutgers can't walk away from women's sports as a way to cut the deficit.
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It's obvious. The Trump administration is fighting FOR Title 9 vehemently against having men in women's sports and stating Title 9 as the reason.

Surely you can understand this.
 
R

Retired711

Heisman
Nov 20, 2001
19,971
10,149
58
Fat Koko said:
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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Keep in mind that report relies on data that is four years old.
 
R

RUAldo

All-Conference
Sep 11, 2008
4,895
3,497
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Knight Shift said:
Former donor here. We were on track to make more significant donations and a legacy donation. It will take an awful lot for us to donate again.
I know others too, so laugh all you want. The Foundation needs to do much better.
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Former RU donor here as well. Fundraising efforts were piss-poor IMO. I’ve donated to other college sports programs (family related) and have received personal phone calls from players, been invited to special events, and receive regular and meaningful communications about certain sports programs I support. I never got that from RU although perhaps I didn’t hit a certain dollar threshold.
 
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M

mdk02

Heisman
Aug 18, 2011
26,672
18,958
113
Fat Koko said:
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
Click to expand...

Try cutting a woman's program and you will see how much of a joke it is. Very different than underrepresented. The only joke I see is the need for 5 to monitor compliance.
 
Caliknight

Caliknight

Hall of Famer
Sep 21, 2001
196,383
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RUAldo said:
Former RU donor here as well. Fundraising efforts were piss-poor IMO. I’ve donated to other college sports programs (family related) and have received personal phone calls from players, been invited to special events, and receive regular and meaningful communications about certain sports programs I support. I never got that from RU although perhaps I didn’t hit a certain dollar threshold.
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As a current donor, my experience has been much different. I am constantly getting contacted, having dinner with various people when they are in Ca., and get offered to travel with the program I support, offered tickets for teams when they are out here, etc.. Not saying they are the greatest fundraising arm in the world and I have no doubt they can and will get better. If someone isn't donating, it's for reasons other than making a difference. Now, I get not donating to certain programs. Football would never get my dollars under Schiano. He doesn't know what to do with the money and just wastes it. The previous admins have a lot of that blame. They gave him open checks and forgot the balances.
 
R

Retired711

Heisman
Nov 20, 2001
19,971
10,149
58
RUAldo said:
Former RU donor here as well. Fundraising efforts were piss-poor IMO. I’ve donated to other college sports programs (family related) and have received personal phone calls from players, been invited to special events, and receive regular and meaningful communications about certain sports programs I support. I never got that from RU although perhaps I didn’t hit a certain dollar threshold.
Click to expand...
This is not just a problem with the athletic program. The Rutgers Foundation behaves as though it thinks it has a divine right to receive donations.
 
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K

kupuna133

All-American
Jul 13, 2015
6,804
7,569
113
RUAldo said:
Former RU donor here as well. Fundraising efforts were piss-poor IMO. I’ve donated to other college sports programs (family related) and have received personal phone calls from players, been invited to special events, and receive regular and meaningful communications about certain sports programs I support. I never got that from RU although perhaps I didn’t hit a certain dollar threshold.
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Similar experience. Wife and I donated same amounts to our Alma maters. Received a generic thank you email from the R Foundation or whatever they’re calling it now. Received a welcome package with personalized gear (Peter millar shirts,1/4 zip, hat) multiple invitations and tickets to events and hotel accommodations for overnight stays if needed. Not only sporting events but other university wide events. Follow up
Call after events to check in. Can’t even get a hot dog coupon at RU.
 
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R

RUAldo

All-Conference
Sep 11, 2008
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kupuna133 said:
Similar experience. Wife and I donated same amounts to our Alma maters. Received a generic thank you email from the R Foundation or whatever they’re calling it now. Received a welcome package with personalized gear (Peter millar shirts,1/4 zip, hat) multiple invitations and tickets to events and hotel accommodations for overnight stays if needed. Not only sporting events but other university wide events. Follow up
Call after events to check in. Can’t even get a hot dog coupon at RU.
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Yup - I got the email and even a form letter but that was it. For me, when I’m donating it’s nice to feel like I’m a part of something. The other school/program that had players contact me was a smart move because it’s really hard to say “no” when a well-spoken athlete is asking for help. Had a nice conversation about the season. Sent me a follow up thank you. If players want NIL make them dial for dollars in the offseason, attend dinner events, etc.
 
R

RUdepressed

Junior
Jul 4, 2025
186
314
63
These are nuclear, historical, and intransigent problems that no one will be able to fix... ever. We can get marginally better with better coaching hires, but we are doormat city for good.
 
Fat Koko

Fat Koko

All-Conference
Nov 28, 2022
3,545
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mdk02 said:
Try cutting a woman's program and you will see how much of a joke it is. Very different than underrepresented. The only joke I see is the need for 5 to monitor compliance.
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I advocate cutting a women's program, volleyball.

At the same time, launch women's wrestling. Rutgers has the potential to compete for a national championship in women's wrestling. The same cannot be said for existing Rutgers sports.
 
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kupuna133

All-American
Jul 13, 2015
6,804
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Fat Koko said:
I advocate cutting a women's program, volleyball.

At the same time, launch women's wrestling. Rutgers has the potential to compete for a national championship in women's wrestling. The same cannot be said for existing Rutgers sports.
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Volleyball isn’t going anywhere. It is the premier women’s sport in the B1G. A change in coaching and bringing in foreign talent and can have that program trending overnight. If we are getting rid of sports it pains to me say golf would be high in the list. Starting a women’s wrestling program is a no brainer. And would not be a huge cost of entry.
 
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S

Shelby65

All-Conference
Apr 1, 2008
8,342
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RU206 said:
$78M of a $5.9B annual school budget.
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You miss the point. It’s a deficit, not a budget. If your church was hemorrhaging money at the same rate, would you increase your donations?

The Grifter isn’t our golden goose, he’s our albatross…or turkey or dodo.
 
R

ru109

All-American
Sep 18, 2011
6,909
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Fat Koko said:
2025 figures are not available for all of the 16 B1G public schools. That will take a few more weeks.

If 2022, 2023, and 2024 are an indication, Rutgers will be dead last in revenues and middle of the pack in expenses, compared to other B1G schools.

Rutgers biggest revenue weaknesses, relative to other B1G schools are ticket sales and donations. I attached the 2023 and 2024, using two year totals because single year amounts can be skewed by home football schedules and big one-off donations.

View attachment 1165138
Click to expand...
Thanks. I wonder if the difference is tickets it purely football or if there are other sports that these other schools are doing a better job of promoting then Rutgers is.
 
Fat Koko

Fat Koko

All-Conference
Nov 28, 2022
3,545
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ru109 said:
Thanks. I wonder if the difference is tickets it purely football or if there are other sports that these other schools are doing a better job of promoting then Rutgers is.
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The difference is New Jersey sports fans prefer to buy tickets to the Giants, Jets, Eagles, Knicks, Nets, 76ers, Yankees, Mets, Phillies, Devils, and Rangers over buying tickets to see the Scarlet Knights.

Other B1G schools don't face this competition.
 
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K

kupuna133

All-American
Jul 13, 2015
6,804
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Caliknight said:
F women's wrestling. If we are starting a sport and replacing one, I'd go with women's flag football. It's not hard to see where that sport is going.
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Didn’t even think about flag football. Another no brainer. Minimal cost of entry and can play games night before or after home football games.
 
R

RU206

All-American
Jan 23, 2015
5,114
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Shelby65 said:
You miss the point. It’s a deficit, not a budget. If your church was hemorrhaging money at the same rate, would you increase your donations?

The Grifter isn’t our golden goose, he’s our albatross…or turkey or dodo.
Click to expand...
Or the state and university should provide more than $15M for the athletic program.
 
J

Jtung230

Heisman
Jun 30, 2005
19,176
12,342
82
Knight Shift said:
Former donor here. We were on track to make more significant donations and a legacy donation. It will take an awful lot for us to donate again.
I know others too, so laugh all you want. The Foundation needs to do much better.
Click to expand...
We are avg 1.7mm in donation per annum. The biggest problem is people don’t understand what donations mean. Everyone expects something in return for their “donations”.
 
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J

Jtung230

Heisman
Jun 30, 2005
19,176
12,342
82
Retired711 said:
Donors to any organization want to be thanked and made to feel that the organization appreciates their donations. Rutgers falls down on that.
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Ofc. You get a thank you note right after you make the donation. I’m guessing most of the donations are to fulfill parking requirements. If there wasn’t a requirement for seats or parking, we wouldn’t even come close to the 1.7 million
 
R

Retired711

Heisman
Nov 20, 2001
19,971
10,149
58
Jtung230 said:
Ofc. You get a thank you note right after you make the donation. I’m guessing most of the donations are to fulfill parking requirements. If there wasn’t a requirement for seats or parking, we wouldn’t even come close to the 1.7 million
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Success breeds success. People aren't going to donate to an athletic program until they see some evidence that their donations aren't a waste of money. Indiana had some success, and that's when the money started flowing.
 
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J

Jtung230

Heisman
Jun 30, 2005
19,176
12,342
82
Retired711 said:
Success breeds success. People aren't going to donate to an athletic program until they see some evidence that their donations aren't a waste of money. Indiana had some success, and that's when the money started flowing.
Click to expand...
Not really. Donations kicked in before they had success. Cignetti was promised NIL money before taking the job.
 
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Knight Shift

Knight Shift

Heisman
May 19, 2011
88,565
86,582
113
Jtung230 said:
Ofc. You get a thank you note right after you make the donation. I’m guessing most of the donations are to fulfill parking requirements. If there wasn’t a requirement for seats or parking, we wouldn’t even come close to the 1.7 million
Click to expand...
Your guess is wrong. You are the defender in chief for all things Rutgers.
 
R

RUAldo

All-Conference
Sep 11, 2008
4,895
3,497
113
Jtung230 said:
Ofc. You get a thank you note right after you make the donation. I’m guessing most of the donations are to fulfill parking requirements. If there wasn’t a requirement for seats or parking, we wouldn’t even come close to the 1.7 million
Click to expand...
Thank you note isn’t going to make most people want to open their wallet. Give a facilities tour, host a pregame buffet, do offseason events with players. Drive personal connections.
 
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