At this time a year ago, Arizona athletic director Desireé Reed-Francois occupied a similar position at Missouri.
“While these are challenging times in college athletics, you know what challenges bring? Opportunities,” said Desireé Reed-Francois Tuesday at a press conference introducing her as the University of Arizona's new athletic director. “I am so filled with excitement for the journey ahead.”
Last week, Missouri president Mun Choi confirmed that Mizzou finished fiscal year 2024 with a $15.2 million budget shortfall, bringing in $168 million in revenue and accruing $183.2 million in expenses. That deficit was covered by a loan from the university.
That’s life in college sports for schools not named Ohio State, Alabama and Texas.
The UM president told reporters that expecting athletic departments to be self-sustaining is unrealistic nowadays, “especially among the major programs.” Said Choi: “In the context of an organization that has over $5 billion in net operating budget, such a critical element of our university like athletics should be placed in context in that regard.”
Reed-Francois took over a department in much worse shape financially. Consider this: according to Sportico, expenses have climbed so high, so quickly, that from 2018-23, Arizona’s pay to its cumulative coaching staffs rose from $20.1 million to $25.1 million. Its travel expenses went from $5.6 million to $10.9 million, and its administrative costs went from $15.7 million to $23.1 million.
That’s an increase of about $18 million in five years just for salaries and travel.
Now comes a revenue-sharing plan that starts this year at $20.5 million, per school, and rises by 4% each year until it hits about $33 million in 2036. Where do you get that money and keep up with your Big 12 competitors? And what about NIL money?
I can’t imagine many in the world of Power 4 sports administrations with a more difficult job than being the AD at Arizona.
