Stating facts is not giving a pass. I’m of the opinion we could have funded the program more creatively in the past. But you can’t spend money that’s not there, and we’re always going to be an also ran when it comes to the top schools, since we’re sitting somewhere outside the top 20 schools for total athletic revenue + donations. To be brutally honest.
And if you don’t think this train runs on money, you’re not thinking properly.
It doesn’t excuse poor performance or bad hires. But this information adds context to the competitive environment in which college football operates.
You may not like it, but our revenue plus donations is nowhere near the top schools. It’s been discussed here ad nauseaum.
As far as our administration using our status as a lower tier earner as a “crutch or an excuse”, I’ve never seen a quote to that effect. Maybe you can find me one.
You have a good point, actually - I can't recall our admin ever using our supposed lack of money as an excuse. Good catch.
And of course the train runs on money. Everything runs on money. But I said it before, and I'll say it again - I don't understand how a huge brand such as Miami can do such a poor job of generating revenue, when we are the only major university on the east coast located in a major sports market. It just makes no sense, and it screams of poor management.
I get, from your response, that donations are a big part of the equation. And I'll concede that as a smaller university, we're working with a smaller potential donor pool. But the University of Miami is actually very good at raising capital when they try.
More importantly, there is nothing written in stone that says donations need to be the key to revenue generation. The Miami Dolphins receive zero donations, and have net stadium revenues of over $400 million. The Miami Marlins get zero donations, and have stadium revenues of over $200 million. Even the Florida Panthers, who also get zero donations, have stadium revenues of over $100 million. On top of that, these teams make a fortune in other areas, such as advertising, and licensing.
College Football is the 2nd most popular sport in America, behind only the NFL. So if all of these Miami sports teams are making money without donations, and if college football is so popular, how are we not making more money?
I happen to believe that the Miami Hurricanes have a strong enough presence in South Florida to pull in slightly more than the Marlins, and slightly less than the Dolphins. But that can only happen if they're managed well. I would be disappointed if Miami were making any less than $200 million per year, given the market.
For reference, the University of Alabama's TOTAL revenue is $170 million, which includes stadium revenue, donations, conference subsidies, and licencing. As popular as they are, there is a good reason no professional sports teams have decided to set up shop in Tuscaloosa.
Miami has so many natural advantages just due to location, it's a crime if we aren't taking full advantage.
Just my opinion.
