Interesting and at times disturbing story from Bloomberg about the high cost - some say prohibitive cost - of running a Division I women's basketball team and how coaches salaries are often what drives teams into the red. As the story points out, there are many benefits to the sport that can't be measured in dollars and cents. Still, understanding the significant financial losses incurred by most programs should give fans something to think about when and if their favorite program declines to "break the bank" to hire its next coach.
Across the U.S., the most popular women's college sport is in the red. Women's basketball at the 53 public schools in the six largest conferences recorded operating losses last fiscal year of $109.7 million, while the men's team's had operating profits of $240 million, according to their financial records.
Women's basketball needs to figure out how to at least pay its own way as states grapple with budget deficits and some university systems eliminate intercollegiate sports to save money, said Bernadette McGlade, an Atlantic 10 Conference commissioner and a former coach and player.
"There is intrinsic value in being able to carry your own weight," McGlade said. "For the amount of resources going into intercollegiate women's basketball, there's going to be a time where there has to be a rational decision of, is it worth it?"
No comments:
Post a Comment