Talking Points: Oregon shows how to run a program

What’s the buzz from the world of sports? Here are some items that will have people talking:

1

USA Today on Tuesday published 2011 revenue and expense figures for the athletic programs at all NCAA Division I public universities. Oregon led the Pac-12 in spending and in revenue among the eight public institutions, taking in $85,819,699 and spending $76,274,142. Of the revenue, just under $20 million came from ticket sales; $2.4 million came from university funds and student fees.

Washington’s revenue from tickets and school funds was similar to Oregon’s, though the Ducks took in twice as much in contributions. Both schools rank among the lowest in the nation for the amount of revenue they take from their schools and students.

Washington State relied on school and student funds for 29 percent of its athletic budget, Oregon State for more than 30 percent.

They can look to Eugene for inspiration. The Ducks have gotten a huge boost from Phil Knight’s Nike fortune. But it also took the courage of leaders — including Bill Moos, now at WSU — to envision an Oregon athletic department that could compete with the best without burdening students.

2

While we are on the subject of re-inventions, let’s acknowledge one more time the remarkable success of the Portland Winterhawks over the past two seasons. Sure, they’ve lost twice in the league finals — a significant disappointment.

Edmonton won a league title in its fifth year as a franchise. A notable accomplishment, to be sure. But we think that Mike Johnston and his staff faced a steeper climb in the fall of 2008 when they took over a Winterhawks team in disarray. To have reached the league championship series twice in less than four years is simply remarkable.