Kansas Athletics Approves $13.2 Million Budget Deficit For Fiscal Year 2027

Kansas Athletics will operate with another significant budget deficit during the 2027 fiscal year as the department continues navigating revenue sharing and ongoing construction at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.

The Kansas Athletics board of directors approved a proposed budget Thursday that includes a $13.2 million deficit. That figure is an improvement from the $15.8 million deficit the department finished with in fiscal year 2026.

KU officials expect the financial picture to continue improving over the next several years. The department projects fiscal year 2027 to be the final year with a large deficit, with a move toward roughly break-even finances in fiscal year 2028 and profitability in fiscal year 2029.

Kansas Athletics CFO Pat Kaufman said future profits would help replenish reserves, repay the department's line of credit and create room for additional growth.

Expenses are projected to increase by $10.1 million in fiscal year 2027, with $5.2 million of that increase tied to student athletes. That includes an additional $2 million toward revenue sharing, which athletic director Travis Goff said will put Kansas at the maximum allowable amount.

Kansas is also projecting $12.7 million in additional revenue. That includes new corporate sponsorship opportunities, such as jersey patches, and increased revenue connected to the football program's game against Arizona State in London.

Goff said Kansas expects to generate roughly $2.5 million in profit from the Union Jack Classic, about $1 million more than the school would currently make from a home game at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium while construction continues.

The fiscal year 2027 budget includes $73 million in guaranteed revenue from sources such as conference distributions and broadcast rights. Variable revenue, which includes ticket sales, donations and similar sources, is expected to rise from $71 million to more than $86 million.

Kansas finished fiscal year 2026 with a $15.8 million deficit, which was covered through the department's revolving line of credit. That credit line was increased from $35 million to $50 million earlier this year.

Goff also pointed to the future Big 12 media rights agreement and eventual unrestricted portions of David Booth's $300 million donation as potential long-term financial boosts for the department.

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