Goss outlines '98-'99 budget

The University Board of Regents approved the Athletic Department budget for the '98-'99 year on Thursday.

Athletic Director Tom Goss presented a proposed budget of revenues of $45.1 million and operating expenditures of $44.9 million, which will generate a surplus of $200,000.

In 1998, the budget raised a surplus of $1.2 million with revenues of $44 million. Expenses totaled $42.8 million.

Goss attributed the large surplus to the University football team playing one fewer home game in '98 than last season.

Goss said the University has gained much recognition from winning two national championships and its first ever Big Ten Basketball Tournament. This year also marked the first time one university had both a male and female Big Ten Athlete of the Year.

"The Athletic Department had quite a few athletic sucesses during the course of the year," Goss said.

Goss said there has been a tremendous increase in funds to the University - from $4.5 million up to closely $6 million.

He added that the University continues to benefit from last year's national championships. But "as people tend to focus on the next year," Goss said, those benefits will dwindle.

Goss also said he does not expect to receive the same amount in merchandising royalties.

Last year's national championships pushed those numbers to record levels

Last fall, the seven-game football season brought in $15.4 million, while the upcoming six-game season is expected to generate $13.9 million.

Goss said many operating expenses are high - especially coaches' salaries.

He added that the University is not expected to attend as lucrative a bowl as last year's Rose Bowl, and the budget reflects this by not including such a trip.

Construction on the Michigan Stadium continues to progress.

The seats in the stadium will be finished in time for the football season, Goss said, along with the scoreboards and video screens.

"It's really turning out to be an incredible stadium," Goss said.

He added that eventually, University games could be broadcast on the Internet.

Goss said it will also be possible to recapture archives of past games.

Goss said the University may be able to make a deal with One-on-One Sports to broadcast University football games across the country.

"All 12 games will be on national radio," Goss said. "Only Notre Dame has a whole season on national radio."

Goss said the proposed budget will reflect an increase in radio and television revenues.

In addition, the University will generate funds from the new video system.

As part of the operating budget, hockey tickets will now cost $17, $14 and $12.

Basketball tickets will cost $5 and $3.

07-20-98