A separate deal would have been nice but as I see it this happened because of last year's NCAA Tournament numbers and this group of sports is largely riding on womens basketball now (and maybe womens Volleyball). Do any of the other sports make any money at all? If not Im dubious about how meaningful that 57% figure is. And anyway there is something satisfying about a womens sport being seen as a financial anchor for more than a dozen mens sports.
Women's sports is no anchor for any men's sports.
The Sooners, at the University of Oklahoma, brought in over $159M in sports revenue last year. However, their expenses were nearly identical, only creating a net profit of $150,000. And going a layer deeper… The women’s softball team at Oklahoma is one of the most successful teams in college sports, regardless of gender. They have 5 NCAA championships in just the last decade and consistently pack out their stadium. But once you dig into their balance sheet you realize it’s not all roses and butterflies. Last year, the University of Oklahoma women’s softball program paid out $4,322,219 in expenses (including $1M to head coach Patty Grosso) while making $2,418,462 in total revenue. The program lost money, $-1,903,757 to be exact. So one of the highest-earning women’s teams in all of collegiate athletics still loses nearly $2M a year. Meanwhile, Oklahoma’s athletic department spends nearly 10x more on football with expenses at $43M. But it makes sense because last year they turned a profit of $51M after totaling almost $94M in revenue. Let’s carry on.
The Sooners, at the University of Oklahoma, brought in over $159M in sports revenue last year. However, their expenses were nearly identical, only creating a net profit of $150,000. And going a layer deeper… The women’s softball team at Oklahoma is one of the most successful teams in college sports, regardless of gender. They have 5 NCAA championships in just the last decade and consistently pack out their stadium. But once you dig into their balance sheet you realize it’s not all roses and butterflies. Last year, the University of Oklahoma women’s softball program paid out $4,322,219 in expenses (including $1M to head coach Patty Grosso) while making $2,418,462 in total revenue. The program lost money, $-1,903,757 to be exact. So one of the highest-earning women’s teams in all of collegiate athletics still loses nearly $2M a year. Meanwhile, Oklahoma’s athletic department spends nearly 10x more on football with expenses at $43M. But it makes sense because last year they turned a profit of $51M after totaling almost $94M in revenue. Let’s carry on.
The article was written a few years ago, before the Caitlin Clark effect. I wonder if it's still true today, at least with her. Tickets to most of her games, home and away can cost over $100 bucks.
The article was written a few years ago, before the Caitlin Clark effect. I wonder if it's still true today, at least with her. Tickets to most of her games, home and away can cost over $100 bucks.
A separate deal would have been nice but as I see it this happened because of last year's NCAA Tournament numbers and this group of sports is largely riding on womens basketball now (and maybe womens Volleyball). Do any of the other sports make any money at all? If not Im dubious about how meaningful that 57% figure is. And anyway there is something satisfying about a womens sport being seen as a financial anchor for more than a dozen mens sports.
Women's sports is no anchor for any men's sports.
In the context of the new $920 million broadcast contract, womens basketball is the most valuable sport of the bunch. Including 19 mens sports. That makes it the anchor sport in that contract.
The article was written a few years ago, before the Caitlin Clark effect. I wonder if it's still true today, at least with her. Tickets to most of her games, home and away can cost over $100 bucks.
Speaking of Oklahoma softball, they are replacing 1,378 set Hynes Field with a new 4,200 seat Love's stadium. The new stadium was originally designed for 3,000 seats, but they increased the capacity by 40% because of higher than expected demands for tickets.
I noticed you only chose to mention one of the 2 games where ticket prices are low (OSU being the other one). What about all the other games on Seat Geek? Most of the others, as I stated before are sold out and prices are above $100
A separate deal would have been nice but as I see it this happened because of last year's NCAA Tournament numbers and this group of sports is largely riding on womens basketball now (and maybe womens Volleyball). Do any of the other sports make any money at all? If not Im dubious about how meaningful that 57% figure is. And anyway there is something satisfying about a womens sport being seen as a financial anchor for more than a dozen mens sports.
Women's sports is no anchor for any men's sports.
The Sooners, at the University of Oklahoma, brought in over $159M in sports revenue last year. However, their expenses were nearly identical, only creating a net profit of $150,000. And going a layer deeper… The women’s softball team at Oklahoma is one of the most successful teams in college sports, regardless of gender. They have 5 NCAA championships in just the last decade and consistently pack out their stadium. But once you dig into their balance sheet you realize it’s not all roses and butterflies. Last year, the University of Oklahoma women’s softball program paid out $4,322,219 in expenses (including $1M to head coach Patty Grosso) while making $2,418,462 in total revenue. The program lost money, $-1,903,757 to be exact. So one of the highest-earning women’s teams in all of collegiate athletics still loses nearly $2M a year. Meanwhile, Oklahoma’s athletic department spends nearly 10x more on football with expenses at $43M. But it makes sense because last year they turned a profit of $51M after totaling almost $94M in revenue. Let’s carry on.
My guess is no! The stands are all empty. It’s comical. Yet espn wants to promote womens basketball to no end. Kinda sad. Women play inferior basketball to men and the games are boring
booooo
I used to... when the Lady Gauchos were under coach Mark French, I used to follow them...I went to every game...
I used to watch Pat Summitt religiously and was a fan of Geno... still am
But Geno and Kim (Mulkey) are the last of the old guard...Dawn Staley is great but she's my age and therefore newer.
The pioneers of Women's Basketball are dwindling and so is the prestige of the game...
My guess is no! The stands are all empty. It’s comical. Yet espn wants to promote womens basketball to no end. Kinda sad. Women play inferior basketball to men and the games are boring
booooo
I used to... when the Lady Gauchos were under coach Mark French, I used to follow them...I went to every game...
I used to watch Pat Summitt religiously and was a fan of Geno... still am
But Geno and Kim (Mulkey) are the last of the old guard...Dawn Staley is great but she's my age and therefore newer.
The pioneers of Women's Basketball are dwindling and so is the prestige of the game...
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