September 22, 2005
Memphis football continues to bleed...red ink
Despite back-to-back bowl appearances for the first time ever and unprecedented excitement surrounding the football program, University of Memphis football continues to lose money. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005, the program lost just over $2.4 million dollars.
Football Revenues -- $4,421,843
Football Expenses -- $6,848,057
Net Profit (Loss) -- ($2,426,214)
Despite a healthy average home attendance of 41,175 fans per game, the program lost $897,420 more than it did in the prior year. Officials attributed that to playing five home games last season as opposed to seven in 2003. Last season also marked the first year since 2001 that the Tigers didn't host an SEC opponent--something that always draws a massive influx of visiting-team fans to Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
Perhaps if the Tigers had sold a few more DeAngelo Williams for Heisman collectible diecast stockcars, the financial ledger would look a little better.
There's no word as to what, if any, effect Ole Miss head coach Ed Orgeron's "fence" around Memphis will have on Tiger football's bottom line. On one hand, it could prohibit the Tigers from leaving town (and presumably forcing them to play all games at home...cha-ching!). On the other hand, it could keep visiting teams from entering the city--creating forfeited games and forcing massive ticket refunds--and restrain out-of-town Tiger fans from being able to come to games. We'll keep you posted on what develops.
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