🏈 Kansas Professor getting flak for suggesting KU rethink football program

[JoshB]

I just looked at his tweet thread and someone already pointed that out to him. He deflected it said that he's including "hidden" costs in the Kansas budget not put in the athletics budget.

Did he go into detail on what the "hidden costs" were?

Agree with him or not, this is a problem across the US. A majority of the programs are in the red and many will have no shot at being in the black.

I've wondered how many would be better off if they dropped from FBS to FCS, or D1 to DII, etc. (UAB as one example.)

Only about the proposed facility upgrades.

 

[planomateo]

Per the NCAA 2017 attendance info, Kansas had 7 homes games with a total attendance of 186,490, which means they're averaging 26,641. The stadium capacity is ~50k, KU enrollment is ~28k. Between 2009-2011 they were essentially selling out every game. 2009 was Mangino's final year, 2010-2011 were Turner Gil's only two years.

KU basketball ticket revenue in 2017 was $15 million for comparison to the below.

KU football ticket revenue info since 2006 below.

2006: $6.47 million
2007: $5.88 million
2008: $6.81 million
2009: $9.50 million
2010: $9.28 million
2011: $9.25 million
2012: $6.56 million
2013: $5.51 million
2014: $5.24 million
2015: $3.99 million
2016: $4.09 million
2017: $3.41 million

 

[JoshB]

I just looked at his tweet thread and someone already pointed that out to him. He deflected it said that he's including "hidden" costs in the Kansas budget not put in the athletics budget.

Did he go into detail on what the "hidden costs" were?

Agree with him or not, this is a problem across the US. A majority of the programs are in the red and many will have no shot at being in the black.

I've wondered how many would be better off if they dropped from FBS to FCS, or D1 to DII, etc. (UAB as one example.)

UNA here in Florence just made the jump to D1. Still scratching my head over that one. They share a stadium with the Florence Falcons and the high school puts more fans in the stands.

It's stuff like that that is unnecessary. Alabama already has UA, AU, Troy, UAB, USA in FBS. Schools like Tuskegee, Alabama State, Miles, Jax State, etc. do pretty well where they are. Have no clue why a school like UNA with little chance of succeeding or making money would make that jump, especially before they've done much where they are. At least Troy had been a multi-time National Champion at the smaller level before they made the jump. USA's situation is unique, though.

 

[JoshB]

Per the NCAA 2017 attendance info, Kansas had 7 homes games with a total attendance of 186,490, which means they're averaging 26,641. The stadium capacity is ~50k, KU enrollment is ~28k. Between 2009-2011 they were essentially selling out every game. 2009 was Mangino's final year, 2010-2011 were Turner Gil's only two years.

KU basketball ticket revenue in 2017 was $15 million for comparison to the below.

KU football ticket revenue info since 2006 below.

2006: $6.47 million
2007: $5.88 million
2008: $6.81 million
2009: $9.50 million
2010: $9.28 million
2011: $9.25 million
2012: $6.56 million
2013: $5.51 million
2014: $5.24 million
2015: $3.99 million
2016: $4.09 million
2017: $3.41 million

Ticket sales is just a tiny piece of the sliver of modern football, though. You have to look at TV rights, digital media rights, merchandise, concessions, etc., too.

 

[planomateo]

Yeah, I get that, but the decline is the point I think the professor is talking to. A significant decline in ticket sales and KU is wanting $350 million to upgrade the facilities ($300 million for football alone) to help increase ticket sales. Obviously the product on the field will help put people in the stands.

The questions - Will this solve their problem? Would it be better to invest that money elsewhere?

 

[XXL TideFan]

I just looked at his tweet thread and someone already pointed that out to him. He deflected it said that he's including "hidden" costs in the Kansas budget not put in the athletics budget.

Did he go into detail on what the "hidden costs" were?

Agree with him or not, this is a problem across the US. A majority of the programs are in the red and many will have no shot at being in the black.

I've wondered how many would be better off if they dropped from FBS to FCS, or D1 to DII, etc. (UAB as one example.)

UNA here in Florence just made the jump to D1. Still scratching my head over that one. They share a stadium with the Florence Falcons and the high school puts more fans in the stands.

It's stuff like that that is unnecessary. Alabama already has UA, AU, Troy, UAB, USA in FBS. Schools like Tuskegee, Alabama State, Miles, Jax State, etc. do pretty well where they are. Have no clue why a school like UNA with little chance of succeeding or making money would make that jump, especially before they've done much where they are. At least Troy had been a multi-time National Champion at the smaller level before they made the jump. USA's situation is unique, though.

Taken from Wikipedia page

UNA plays its home games at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama. They are currently coached by Chris Willis. UNA was a member of Division II from 1972-2017. The Lions are distinguished as the only team to win three consecutive football national championships in NCAA Division II.

 

[JoshB]

I just looked at his tweet thread and someone already pointed that out to him. He deflected it said that he's including "hidden" costs in the Kansas budget not put in the athletics budget.

Did he go into detail on what the "hidden costs" were?

Agree with him or not, this is a problem across the US. A majority of the programs are in the red and many will have no shot at being in the black.

I've wondered how many would be better off if they dropped from FBS to FCS, or D1 to DII, etc. (UAB as one example.)

UNA here in Florence just made the jump to D1. Still scratching my head over that one. They share a stadium with the Florence Falcons and the high school puts more fans in the stands.

It's stuff like that that is unnecessary. Alabama already has UA, AU, Troy, UAB, USA in FBS. Schools like Tuskegee, Alabama State, Miles, Jax State, etc. do pretty well where they are. Have no clue why a school like UNA with little chance of succeeding or making money would make that jump, especially before they've done much where they are. At least Troy had been a multi-time National Champion at the smaller level before they made the jump. USA's situation is unique, though.

Taken from Wikipedia page

UNA plays its home games at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama. They are currently coached by Chris Willis. UNA was a member of Division II from 1972-2017. The Lions are distinguished as the only team to win three consecutive football national championships in NCAA Division II.

Sad part is I should know that considering Ronald McKinnon (from my hometown) was a huge star there during that run in the 90s. Maybe I was thinking West Alabama or something, IDK. My bad.

 

[Tidestalker]

I think you'll see a lot more of this sentiment with the bad football programs... In 2018, the hate for football is real and everyone has a voice.

If it was a $ issue, almost all sports at all universities should be cancelled. LOL. I don't think the lib professors quite understand what sports at that level are about, and how much they help the kids graduate and learn valuable skills. Football is more dangerous than most sports, but it also helps more kids get through school.

Not to mention it generally brings a campus together more than any other activity. Which is valuable in a lot of ways

 

[planomateo]

 

[jdpas29]

we could schedule them as opener for a few years to give them a little boost.. maybe spot them 20 points just to make it more interesting?

 

[JoshB]

we could schedule them as opener for a few years to give them a little boost.. maybe spot them 20 points just to make it more interesting?

Think a 62-20 loss would give them a boost?