Maryland athletic department reports modest surplus for 2012-13 fiscal year

This surplus could help make a small dent in an operating deficit — the difference between debt and revenue — that has grown into the tens of millions of dollars as the ACC continues to withhold revenue because of the university’s upcoming departure to the Big Ten. According to the report, the athletic department’s annual debt service for athletic facilities reached $7.8 million, up from $6.7 million in 2011-12, while its outstanding debt balance on athletic facilities has increased from $55.96 million to $74.56 million. Such reported debt is not unusual — Tennessee, for instance, reportedly had a debt of $200 million in 2013, thanks mostly to upgrades it made to its football stadium.

Though overall revenue decreased by roughly $5 million from 2011-12 to 2012-13, ticket sales decreased by $1.7 million and contributions dropped by $799,514, Maryland managed to generate a larger surplus thanks to a reduction in expenses after the school eliminated seven sports in July 2012. The department shaved $521,852 off coaching expenses, $1.9 million off facility expenses like maintenance and rental, and $2.4 million off severance payments for former coaches and personnel. Operating expenses also fell by $4.7 million from year to year.

Revenue from Maryland football ticket sales dropped 33 percent in 2012, falling from $6.62 million in 2011 to $4.40 million. Men’s basketball enjoyed a boost of roughly a half-million dollars, overtaking football for the department’s leader in total revenue, while men’s lacrosse climbed above $100,000 in overall ticket revenue and women’s basketball fell by a relatively negligible $22,266. Overall, ticket sales dropped by $1.68 million.

The athletic department also received significantly less institutional support, getting $4.29 million in 2012-13 compared with $6.18 million in 2011-12.

According to the report, Terrapins football Coach Randy Edsall received $2,245,074 in total compensation and men’s basketball Coach Mark Turgeon received $2,124,431. Women’s basketball Coach Brenda Frese is the department’s third highest-paid head coach at $1,024,155. Nine football assistant coaches averaged $301,005 in total salary, compared with $269,596 for three men’s basketball assistants and $174,518 for three women’s basketball assistants.

The full breakdown of revenues and expenses is below:

2012-13 REVENUES 

Ticket sales: $11,838,389

Student fees: $11,181,286

Guarantees (revenue for away games): $646,200

Contributions (i.e. donations): $10,730,829

Direct institutional support: $4,287,999

NCAA distributions (bowl games, tournaments, sharing agreements): $16,218,508

Program sales, concessions, novelty sales and parking: $1,340,568

Royalties, licensing, advertisements and sponsorships: $6,262,955

Endowment and investment income: $590,510

Other operating revenue: $617,226

Total: $63,714,470

2012-13 EXPENSES 

Athletic student aid: $12,840,234

Guarantees: $1,276,141

Coaching salaries, benefits and bonuses: $13,632,973

Support staff/administrative salaries, benefits and bonuses: $11,642,135

Severance payments: $174,861

Recruiting: $777,678

Team travel: $4,129,863

Equipment, uniforms and supplies: $699,360

Game expenses: $1,342,537

Fundraising, marketing and promotion: $1,406283

Direct facilities, maintenance and rental: $10,064,248

Spirit groups: $218,914

Medical expenses and insurance: $851,496

Memberships and dues: $44,069

Other operating expenses: $4,267,137

Total operating expenses: $63,367,929