Univ. of Illinois athletics poised to surpass $200M in revenue for first time – Sports Business Journal

Univ. of Illinois AD Josh Whitman said that the athletic department will surpass $200M in revenue for “the first time in program history,” though the financial numbers for the fiscal year are typically a week or two from being finalized, according to Scott Richey of the Champaign NEWS-GAZETTE. Whitman said, “That includes a ticket revenue record just north of $30 million. We also will set a record for expenses, I’m sure. That’s the new environment we’re in.” Richey writes generating more revenue, year over year, “is Illinois’ challenge.” And that is particularly true if the intent “remains to max out revenue sharing with its athletes.” How much Illinois “can pull from its two sports that actually generate revenue — football and men’s basketball — is limited.” Whitman: “It’s incumbent on us to be exploring other revenue streams. … We’re spending a lot of time on that right now trying to identify more non-traditional revenues that might be available either now or in the future to ultimately bring additional resources into the program” (Champaign NEWS-GAZETTE, 6/26). Richey in a separate piece notes season tickets for men’s basketball are “expected to sell out in the coming days.” Whitman said that the expectation is that “will happen using only the wait list.” New season-ticket offers for the public “likely won’t be offered” (Champaign NEWS-GAZETTE, 6/26).