WSU regents approve plan to balance athletics budget

The Washington State University regents unanimously approved a plan Friday to balance the school’s athletics department budget.

The regents voted after hearing presentations by WSU athletic director Pat Chun and chief budget officer Joan King, who touted the budget strategy as the best possible way to climb out of a cumulative deficit that’s projected to reach more than $85 million by the end of fiscal year 2022.

“The athletics department has to thrive because of what it means to the brand of the institution,” Chun told the regents during a retreat in Woodinville.

Much of the deficit can be traced to WSU’s decision, spearheaded by former athletic director Bill Moos, to build a $61 million football complex and other facility enhancements. An economic downturn at the time also prompted the university to slash institutional support to the athletics department, and revenue from a deal with the Pac-12 Networks fell far short of initial projections.

Chun and King revealed details of the strategy in a conference call with reporters last week. The plan is depends on media-rights fees, donations to the athletic fund, ticket sales, corporate sponsorships and a spike in student fees.

Before joining WSU four months ago, Chun was a fundraiser for the athletics departments at Florida Atlantic University and Ohio State University. He and King predict WSU’s athletics program will be able to break even and begin building up reserves as early as fiscal 2023.

Two years ago, when Moos and WSU President Kirk Schulz pitched a similar strategy to prop up the athletics department, students balked at the idea of increased fees.