Photo via TexasSports.com
The biggest Texas Longhorn storyline last week was the Big 12’s unusual decision to prohibit football coaches from interacting with their players via video conferencing. That move did not make any sense considering other conferences did not have the same restrictions. Heck, University of South Florida coach Jeff Scott expressed to reporters how being able to communicate with his players was helping his program, while Texas was operating at a disadvantage against the team it will play in this year’s season opener.
Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby responded to the criticism and allowed four hours a week of virtual group activities, which was announced on March 29. It was a huge victory for coaches who wanted to stay connected with their players. It also gave players an opportunity to have football-related instructions while away from campus.
However, there was a huge item buried in the Big 12’s press release. The 10th of 11 items was an announcement that football, along with all sports, would be suspended until May 31. Sports within the conference were originally postponed until March 30, and the new date added 60 more days to monitor COVID-19. Health experts predict there will be a spike in the number of cases before the curve flattens. In order for the football season to start on time, the number of reported cases will need to slow down before June 1.
As a result, UT’s athletic department is hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.
I had conversations with multiple people close to Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte this past week, and each was optimistic we will have college football as usual this year. Nobody was willing to entertain the possibility of not having football. They did not want to imagine football being played in front of only family members this season. Instead of discussing doomsday scenarios, everyone wanted to talk about the best-case outcomes of as relates to COVID-19.
However, it is hard to ignore how other athletic programs are bracing are preparing for a financial loss in 2020.
Wyoming athletic director Tom Burman recently announced he would take a 10 percent pay cut to support his program. Burman’s department was listed as having a budget just under $45 million in 2018, which does not compare to the major programs. Nevertheless, it was a proactive move.
In addition, Iowa State announced a one-year reduction in pay and bonuses for its coaches in 2020.
According to Iowa State’s press release, here are the initiatives for this year:
1. A one-year, temporary pay reduction for athletics department coaches and certain staff. This comprehensive plan will reduce total payroll by more than $3M.
2. A one-year, temporary suspension of all bonuses/incentives for all coaches. This decision will save the department $1M.
3. Delaying (from January 2021 to January 2022) a previously announced increase in Cyclone Club annual giving levels. The delay will save donors approximately $2.5M for required seating donations.
4. A freeze on season / individual game ticket prices for all sports.
5. An extension to the deadline for this year’s Cyclone Club donations and football season ticket renewals to May 29, 2020.
6. Providing multiple payment options for season tickets and donations. Those required payments can be made monthly, quarterly or semi-annually.
The Detroit Free Press recently surveyed 19 athletic directors, and only six believed we would have college football this year.
When I checked in with members of Texas’ athletic department this past week, there are several interesting notes worth passing along.
The main reason we are hearing about other programs making financial cutbacks is because most fiscal years of athletic departments end in June. That means the fiscal calendar year of most departments begin on July 1, which is why we are hearing about contingency plans. Most programs are currently making plans, even if it has not been announced.
However, Texas is different.
UT’s fiscal calendar is from September 1 to August 31. The majority of UT’s athletic revenue is generated by football, men’s basketball, and television pay outs. Even though Texas will receive less TV money due the cancellation of the Big 12 men’s basketball tournament, the main sports generated revenue during the fiscal calendar, Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte does not have to start implementing the financial cutbacks we are beginning to witness at other schools.
In fact, I was told the athletic department has been able to save money with the temporary suspension of sports. The department does not have to spend on meals for athletes, travel expenses for road games, and conference tournaments.
Nevertheless, Texas’ athletic department is developing contingency plans in case the college sports world does not return to business as usual on June 1.
According to my sources, Del Conte’s department is figuring out ways to save money if the school’s football revenue takes a financial hit in the next fiscal calendar year. Nobody within the athletic department wanted to discuss those details to prevent a panic from occurring. Logic states employees could be required to take furloughs - and that could include coaches who take a pay cut this year and receive the rest of their money down the line - while others may lose jobs. It could also mean excess spending on future coaches and support staff members will cease. The luxury of firing coaches and paying buyouts could also become a thing of the past.
The ticket renewal deadline was pushed back to May. I was told that deadline could be pushed back to June or July, if necessary.
In addition, Texas is currently in the midst of a South End Zone project which will cost around $175 million. All of those checks have not been cashed. Pledge payments were received in December, and that was before the oil industry took a financial hit, followed by our current economic crisis. The next pledge payment is due in December, and Texas’ athletic departments needs its donors to be in a good place financially to avoid an interruption of that project.
Bottom line, Texas needs football in 2020.
I was told without football in 2020, the department would be rocked financially. Even if football was played in a stadium without a crowd, the loss of revenue from ticket sales, parking, and concessions would result in a major financial hit, especially when you factor in paying around $1 million to non-conference opponents.
According to Austin American Statesman reporter Brian Davis, UT generated $223.9 million in revenue in 2018-19. The majority of that money came from football.
“If there is no football, everyone is in trouble,” one source told me.
Now, imagine how much trouble programs with smaller budgets will be in without football this year. Think of those programs that are barely surviving right now, and the decisions that will need to be made if there is a loss of football revenue. Many small schools would have to eliminate athletics to avoid the financial loss.
That is the worst-case scenario.
The higher-ups in UT’s athletic department are watching the news daily, and looking for good news. They hope the stimulus package will lead to a quick economic recovery. There is optimism that the University of Pittsburgh’s announcement of a potential vaccine for COVID-19 on Thursday could significantly impact of the disease. They also hope the rapid test results by Abbott Laboratories will be readily available by May 31.
Until then, they will watch and wait like the rest of us.
And hope for the best.
Funniest Things You Will See This Week
Can we make this into our temporary national anthem?
Anybody else want to buy a house in this neighborhood?
Good for you, little man
These kids needed to ask more questions
Sports On A Dime
1. I think these kind of posts on Twitter by Tom Herman’s staff is a great way to engage high school athletes. Recruits have a chance to see how Longhorn coaches teach football in the absence of on-campus visits.
2. I mentioned this on our recent podcast, but if you missed it, here are two offensive line notes worth mentioning. If Denzel Okafor does transfer, Christian Jones is the starting right tackle, according to my sources. In addition, Tope Imade is currently the starting left guard, but watch out for Tyler Johnson. Imade and Johnson will battle for that position when football is played again.
3. Sam Ehlinger has raised nearly $75,000 for COVID-19 relief. He has done more than most adults. Props to him.
4. Former Texas defensive end Charles Omenihu was destined to have success on the next level due to his size and eagerness to improve.
5. It was just a matter of time before Dallas based attorney Michael Lyons put Kansas against the ropes on behalf of former football coach David Beaty, and it is time for the Jayhawks to throw the damn towel. If you know anything about Lyons, work in the legal professional, or have an interest in Beaty, Jesse Newell’s article on KansasCity.com is a must-read.
Basically, Kansas initially decided to fire Beaty and was going to pay his $3 million buyout, but Lyons provides evidence that shows the university later looked for a minor NCAA infraction in an effort to keep the money. Kansas looks absolutely horrible.
During a deposition of Kansas athletic director Jeff Long, Lyons showed no mercy:
Here is my favorite part of the story:
Long, when asked why he went to the Big 12 with the videos instead of turning them into the NCAA, said often with lower-level concerns, KU sends the matters to the Big 12 first before the NCAA.
Lyons continued to prod Long later when going over game video clips of potential KU football violations. When discussing one clip — a snippet of KU analyst Tony Coaxum talking with punter Kyle Thompson during the West Virginia game that was originally reported in The Star’s story — Long said Coaxum “could be” providing impermissible tactical instruction and said he would “share it with the compliance office.”
Lyons started an exchange with Long, asking why he wouldn’t get involved.
Long: “Because that’s not what an athletic director does.”
Lyons: “I see. But an athletic director does weigh the evidence in the case of David Beaty and make a determination that he violated NCAA rules, correct?”
Long: “Yes.”
Lyons: “But not Les Miles?”
Long: “No. If I had information, I would do it with Les Miles as well."
Lyons: “This is information, is it not?”
Long: “This is information.”
Lyons: “All right.”
6. I get the feeling Tom Brady is going to enjoy “winter” in Tampa more than he ever did in New England
7. I am not a Patriots fan, but this is a cool story
8. ESPN Adam Schefter is against the NFL holding its draft later this month, but I disagree. The draft will be held online, which means nobody involved is being put at risk. More importantly, it will give us a live sporting event to watch, which is something we need. If the NFL was trying to conduct a practice, I would be against it. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell angers a lot of people, but I find it hard to point the finger at him for conducting the draft.
9. This was a great way to close out Women’s History Month
10. One thing I respect about Oscar De La Hoya’s career is he never ducked anyone. He fought the top welterweights in their prime. I am not convinced he beat Ike Quartey, and there is no way in hell he defeated Felix Sturm (with a huge fight against Bernard Hopkins looming, De La Hoya received a gift). He is not on the same level as Sugar Ray Robinson, Henry Armstrong, or Sugar Ray Leonard, but De La Hoya definitely had a Hall of Fame career.
