Big East: more ca$h or more $pending for USF?

[Guest BasketBull.]

We all know where South Florida is: It's right next to Lowcashville!

But seriously, is next year going to start USF's first step to financial boon or will it be the same as before?

There will be more costs, for sure. But will the new dollars put USF in the red?

Football, lots of ca$h with the BCS tag and upswing of being in the Big East, is this our breadwinner?

Basketball, the draw will be increased for sure, and the TV deals should make money for USF. Being the stepchild of the conference, is that going to make money in the first few years?

Financially, I think USF athletics has been operating from a Sunbelt budget for a long time, even when in C-USA. Now, we are that far behind. I think during the AD hunt the paper had mentioned 11 million (?).

Q: Can we play with the Big Boys financially?

[USFMikeB]

From what I recall, the jump in conference revenues alone will help us in the financing for some of our facility upgrades.  We've been operating in the black already, so hopefully we'll also see better ticket revenue for the cash sports.  We're going to have to start spending more on coaches as they are replaced through attrition, or whatever method leads to the vacancy.

[Papa_Bull]

I think our athletic budget is $18+ million not $11 million.

That still puts us probably about $10 million short of where we should be as a member of the Big East.

I haven't heard what our new athletic budget will be, but I guess it will be in the $20 million range.

[Guest S.  Bien]

I think our athletic budget is $18+ million not $11 million.

That still puts us probably about $10 million short of where we should be as a member of the Big East.

I haven't heard what our new athletic budget will be, but I guess it will be in the $20 million range.

And $28mm would be the low-end of the Big East.  Schools like Cuse, Pitt, WVU, Rutgers, UL, and Uconn spend around $36-38mm.  That should give you an idea of what it takes to compete.

[Sitting_BULL]

We'll get there.  The one thing we have going (particularly regarding football) is we're a new alternative for florida kids wanting a BCS school.  Now those who would've had to go out of state because of lack of playing time, etc, with the big 3 can come here instead.

[GarySJ]

We'll ultimately catch up by means of the increased revenue we'll receive. But there will probably be some serious lag the first couple years, before the new revenue kicks in and as USF has to continue paying off entrance/exit fees and all that.

We've really spent a lot the last five years. Building the facility, changing leagues, and keeping CJL are big-ticket items.

[Guest BasketBull.]

I think our athletic budget is $18+ million not $11 million.

That still puts us probably about $10 million short ...

Right, Howie. Actually, I was trying to say that we were about 11 short, per the paper(s).

Additionally, I posted this thread with the actual intention of bracing Bulls fans for the Big East, as people will want  this coach fired or that one beaten up because our teams may not always be doing well. There will be 10 or 11 million reasons why we will not win every game in the Big East...

CA$H = more victories.

...Lowca$h = moral victories  ;D

[CyberBull]

USF spent an estimated $16.5-million dollars for intracollegiate athletics for FY 2003-2004.  In order to be around the $20-million dollar figure we all throw around the budget would have had to been increased by nearly 18% from FY 2002-2003....which I don't think that was the case.

Source:  State University System of Florida OPERATING BUDGET Summary Fiscal Year 2003-2004

page: 45

[CyberBull]

In order for USF to compete we need to figure out how to double the budget to $40-million. That is what our competition is spending to win. Afterall USD decided that we wanted to compete at this level.... right?

Nobody twisted our arms and forced us to join a more expensive but higher profile conference...right?

As fans we could help this tremendously by improving attendance at football and basketball games. If we could average 40K/game football and 8K/game basketball that would definitely move us into the right direction. Compound that with an increased television contract and then we are talking. The Univesity could help by just getting the marketing done. No excuses. USF has to be creative and assertive in this marketplace to attract attention for itself.

Please note that much of the projected budget increase has to go to coaches salaries which were piss poor in C-USA and dead last in the Big East.  We can't continue to operate on the cheap in this department or we are going to lose all of our excellent and young non-revenue coaches in soccer, WBB, tennis, softball etc... USF was invited over UCF b/c of our better overall athletic department and success on the field. We can't afford to go backwards!

[Guest Sprtsfn627]

Please note that much of the projected budget increase has to go to coaches salaries which were piss poor in C-USA and dead last in the Big East.  We can't continue to operate on the cheap in this department or we are going to lose all of our excellent and young non-revenue coaches in soccer, WBB, tennis, softball etc

Very good point, we need to reward the winners with new and bigger salaries.

Another small part has to do with the fact that some of the bigger members of the Big East, ie Syracuse, have a few extra sports than we do.

But a lot of it has to do with salaries and facilities.  We're movin in the right direction for facilities and hopefully the funds to keep them up to date, but we really need to upgrade a few salaries.