Tennessee Athletic Dept. in $200M Debt

[Stumpy]

Now, after staggering to losing football seasons in four of the last five years and seeing attendance drop to levels last seen in the 1970s, the Vols find themselves mired in more than $200 million of debt, the most in the SEC, with reserves of just $1.95 million, the least in the conference.

The athletic department spends a startling $21 million a year on debt payments, $13.5 million of which comes from the school’s stressed $99.5 million athletic budget and the rest from donations.

Tennessee athletic department mired in $200 million debt - NCAA Football - Sporting News

[Daserop]

maybe they can get a government bailout

[mtowncyclone13]

i would hate donating money to pay of debt. i bet a ton of their donations dry up now.

[carvers4math]

Did anyone check Lane Kiffin's pockets on his way out the door?

[Wesley]

They need to rob a bank.

[CycloneErik]

That's crazy.

[legi]

So what happens if they can't pay it off?

[VeloClone]

So what happens if they can't pay it off?

Then they are required to change their primary color from Vols Orange to Red ink Red.

[pulse]

For those who still don't understand, this is partially one of be reasons we aren't building SEZ seating yet.

[CysRage]

Looks like no SEZ for Tennessee

[swarthmoreCY]

i would hate donating money to pay of debt. i bet a ton of their donations dry up now.

Why? The purpose of donations is often to allow the AD the ability to acquire debt, and to payoff existing debt. Do you think things like stadium expansion and practice facilities are paid in cash?

[alarson]

Why? The purpose of donations is often to allow the AD the ability to acquire debt, and to payoff existing debt. Do you think things like stadium expansion and practice facilities are paid in cash?

Exactly. ISU has paid for several of its projects using debt, and will continue to do so in the future.

[Rabbuk]

Why? The purpose of donations is often to allow the AD the ability to acquire debt, and to payoff existing debt. Do you think things like stadium expansion and practice facilities are paid in cash?

I think the logic is people don't want to pay for things they can't tangibly see.

[Cycsk]

the school’s stressed $99.5 million athletic budget


It will turn out okay for them. Tennessee is one of the best states in knowing how to waste money.

[swarthmoreCY]

I think the logic is people don't want to pay for things they can't tangibly see.

Building a stadium that cannot be seen? Yeah, in such cases, questions should be asked.