Power 5 Athletic Department Debt- Rutgers Is Low Compared to Peers

[yesrutgers01]

No, I dont have access to them. Nor do I care enough to do the legwork even if it was possible. I am just telling you the way it works, as someone who is a CPA, and who once interned in the Rutgers accounting office. The main point being that the accounting practices are largely equivalent across schools at the total university level (as they have to be, as they all follow the same rules), but not necessarily so at the department level between one school to another (due the varying practices of how those revenues and expenses are allocated out between departments). There is more leeway in the latter. For example, stadium or facilities debt doesn't always go to athletics. Where are donations applied, etc.,, etc.

It is funny- I always cringe on "show me your work" posts. lol

Like you- I am a fan as well and don't care enough or have the time to dig in so deep. But there are times where some common sense works better than the "show me your work" lol

 

[Knight Shift]

Not good for Rutgers

 

[rurichdog]

Not good for Rutgers

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Now do "Revenue per cable box".
We know why we're here.

 

[RUBOB72]

Does anyone as a fan or supporter of our athletic department really care.? It is what it is …a school in a conference making 100 M per year. A far cry from 11 years ago.

 

[RUTGERS95]

Now do "Revenue per cable box".
We know why we're here.

also to see the subscriptions per team

 

[PaKnight]

They don't publish the debt.
However, Rutgers' revenue from football is near the lowest for all P5 schools-Cal is almost double Rutgers. Maryland is over $56M:
Rutgers: $22,673,284
Michigan: $142,767,461

Rutgers:
Total Revenue: $125,478,340
Total Expenses: $153,523,767
Deficit: (-28,045,427)

Michigan:
Rev: $225,548,280
Exp: $232,323,521
Profit: ($4,012,999)

I don’t think those numbers are apples to apples. Maryland is not selling out a big stadium.
Just looking at Rutgers, where is the other $102M in revenue coming from if football is only generating $23M? Obviously a big part must be the conference payout. Most of that is driven by football.

 

[Knight Shift]

I don’t think those numbers are apples to apples. Maryland is not selling out a big stadium.
Just looking at Rutgers, where is the other $102M in revenue coming from if football is only generating $23M? Obviously a big part must be the conference payout. Most of that is driven by football.

There apparently is a backstory link under that X post, did not have time to read it. It's all very confusing.

 

[Panthergrowl13]

Playing games in a rented stadium sucks compared to having your own
I understand why you guys did it but the old Pitt Stadium was a classic

Receiving 500 less than your peers over the next 12 years would be catastrophic to the majority of programs wishing to compete for championships

If mid to low level bowls are your jam and getting blown out by good teams on a regular basis is ok, then the ACC is a perfect spot

Actually, watching Pitt football games in an NFL Stadium (Acrisure) is very enjoyable. I have Club Seats and the amenities of the Club are fantastic compared to sitting on benches in Old Pitt Stadium.

Acrisure Stadium is about 3.5 miles from campus.

Land is limited in Oakland and taking up that valuable commodity for a a new Stadium with subsequent parking would be a waste of a facility that would be used only 7 times a year. Pitt would rather invest in Health or Research facilities in Oakland which would be used 24/7.

Pitt has land on the South Side (Steeler and Pitt practice facilities area) which could be considered (future) for a new stadium but it would be no closer than Acrisure Stadium is to Campus and would not have all the amenities associated with an NFL Stadiums.

Research/Health Care is financially very important to PITT/UPMC and utilizing that land for such an investment for now is not in the cards. As I said previously UPMC is investing $2 Billion in a new 17 story Hospital in Oakland which should be completed in 2026.

For a mid sized public university (35,000 students) Pitt has managed to succeed in many areas such as Research, Global Ranking and Endowment. US News in mid April will be publishing their latest edition of "Americas Best Graduate Schools" and I predict again that All of Pitt's Health Care Professions (Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Physical Therapy etc.) will be ranked in the Top 20 in the Nation. Pitt is able to attract $1.16 Billion per year in outside Research Grants (Top 5 university in NIH funding). US News Global University ranking (2024) has Pitt ranked #45 in the World. For a mid sized university Pitt has been able to attain an Endowment of $5.5 Billion from Alums, Friends, Industry etc.

By remaining in the ACC Pitt may lose $40 million per year in sports compensation compared to B1G schools but if it can operate with little to NO DEPT that is quite an accomplishment. Consider what Pitt will bring in in 12 years in Research Funding at its current and increasing pace. Again Penn State will be spending $750 million on updating Beaver Stadium (a facility that will be used 7 times a year). According to the chart Penn State with all their B1G funding is still operating at a net loss.

Being in the ACC will still be a positive for Pitt for a chance to compete for a National Championship (2 schools qualify per year) even if a few schools leave (repacement schools have been mentioned). Rutgers will not have a better chance of playing for a National Championship as a member of the B1G (3 schools qualify per year) than Pitt (IMHO).

Good discussion although we will still disagree on our relevant positions.

HAIL TO PITT!!!!

 

[jaydogsmooth1]

Actually, watching Pitt football games in an NFL Stadium (Acrisure) is very enjoyable. I have Club Seats and the amenities of the Club are fantastic compared to sitting on benches in Old Pitt Stadium.

Acrisure Stadium is about 3.5 miles from campus.

Land is limited in Oakland and taking up that valuable commodity for a a new Stadium with subsequent parking would be a waste of a facility that would be used only 7 times a year. Pitt would rather invest in Health or Research facilities in Oakland which would be used 24/7.

Pitt has land on the South Side (Steeler and Pitt practice facilities area) which could be considered (future) for a new stadium but it would be no closer than Acrisure Stadium is to Campus and would not have all the amenities associated with an NFL Stadiums.

Research/Health Care is financially very important to PITT/UPMC and utilizing that land for such an investment for now is not in the cards. As I said previously UPMC is investing $2 Billion in a new 17 story Hospital in Oakland which should be completed in 2026.

For a mid sized public university (35,000 students) Pitt has managed to succeed in many areas such as Research, Global Ranking and Endowment. US News in mid April will be publishing their latest edition of "Americas Best Graduate Schools" and I predict again that All of Pitt's Health Care Professions (Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Physical Therapy etc.) will be ranked in the Top 20 in the Nation. Pitt is able to attract $1.16 Billion per year in outside Research Grants (Top 5 university in NIH funding). US News Global University ranking (2024) has Pitt ranked #45 in the World. For a mid sized university Pitt has been able to attain an Endowment of $5.5 Billion from Alums, Friends, Industry etc.

By remaining in the ACC Pitt may lose $40 million per year in sports compensation compared to B1G schools but if it can operate with little to NO DEPT that is quite an accomplishment. Consider what Pitt will bring in in 12 years in Research Funding at its current and increasing pace. Again Penn State will be spending $750 million on updating Beaver Stadium (a facility that will be used 7 times a year). According to the chart Penn State with all their B1G funding is still operating at a net loss.

Being in the ACC will still be a positive for Pitt for a chance to compete for a National Championship (2 schools qualify per year) even if a few schools leave (repacement schools have been mentioned). Rutgers will not have a better chance of playing for a National Championship as a member of the B1G (3 schools qualify per year) than Pitt (IMHO).

Good discussion although we will still disagree on our relevant positions.

HAIL TO PITT!!!!

I've been there man
There's literally no atmosphere
I love the Club area there but the whole vibe frankly sucks

I love the city of Pittsburgh and always had respect for Pitt's athletic teams
Wish you'd build a new fb stadium though - you guys have a great history and there's nothing like a fb specific facility that's your own

 

[Panthergrowl13]

I've been there man
There's literally no atmosphere
I love the Club area there but the whole vibe frankly sucks

I love the city of Pittsburgh and always had respect for Pitt's athletic teams
Wish you'd build a new fb stadium though - you guys have a great history and there's nothing like a fb specific facility that's your own

Actually, the area surrounding Acrisure and PNC Park has been completely developed with new Bars, Restaurants, Hotels, Casino, Science Center, Warhol Museum etc for pre and post tailgating. Good vibe on the River Front.

The biggest negative for Acrisure stadium for Pitt is it has a capacity of 75,000 fans and Old Pitt Stadium had a capacity of 56,000 fans which is more suited for a mid sized university such as Pitt.

I personally would "Tarp" Acrisure Stadium down to 56,000 for Pitt Home Games. Since this would only have to be done 7 times per year should not be a problem (during Covid football, hockey, basketball events successfully utilized tarps with limited/no fans for broadcast).

Acrisure rocks for Steeler home games and also for Pitt Games when we play West Virginia, Notre Dame or Penn State (No Tarp required for those games LOL).

Pitt like Rutgers need to win to have more fans show up.

Well many on the board think this will be a good year for Rutgers and for Pitt more of a question mark.

HAIL TO PITT!!!!

 

[jaydogsmooth1]

Actually, the area surrounding Acrisure and PNC Park has been completely developed with new Bars, Restaurants, Hotels, Casino, Science Center, Warhol Museum etc for pre and post tailgating. Good vibe on the River Front.

The biggest negative for Acrisure stadium for Pitt is it has a capacity of 75,000 fans and Old Pitt Stadium had a capacity of 56,000 fans which is more suited for a mid sized university such as Pitt.

I personally would "Tarp" Acrisure Stadium down to 56,000 for Pitt Home Games. Since this would only have to be done 7 times per year should not be a problem (during Covid football, hockey, basketball events successfully utilized tarps with limited/no fans for broadcast).

Acrisure rocks for Steeler home games and also for Pitt Games when we play West Virginia, Notre Dame or Penn State (No Tarp required for those games LOL).

Pitt like Rutgers need to win to have more fans show up.

Well many on the board think this will be a good year for Rutgers and for Pitt more of a question mark.

HAIL TO PITT!!!!

I agree, the area around the stadium is awesome
it's the athmosphere inside which is lacking