Summary
Rutgers University has a significant financial deficit in its athletic department after joining the Big Ten Conference in 2014. The university's athletic department reported a $78 million deficit for the 2024-25 academic year, contributing to a total deficit of $517 million since joining the conference. The new athletic director, Keli Zinn, expects improvement in future fiscal years.
Key Facts
- Rutgers left the American Athletic Conference in 2014 to join the Big Ten.
- The athletic department of Rutgers had a $78 million deficit for the 2024-25 academic year.
- Since joining the Big Ten, Rutgers' athletic department has accumulated a total deficit of $516.9 million.
- Keli Zinn became the new athletic director of Rutgers in July 2023.
- Zinn expects financial improvements in the fiscal years 2026-2027 and 2027-2028.
- Projected spending for the 2025-26 fiscal year is expected to exceed $200 million.
- Spending in college athletics is rising, challenging schools to balance budgets effectively.
