Big Ten Football Loss Could Cost Schools $100 Million Each
- Wealthiest conference scrambles to make up for canceled season
- Iowa eliminated four other sports in bid to close a budget gap
Photographer: Joe Robbins/Getty Images
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Big Ten football fans face months of empty Saturdays this fall. But for at least one conference member, the lost revenue means the permanent elimination of four other sports that rely on football for survival.
The University of Iowa said last week it will discontinue men’s gymnastics, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, and men’s tennis after the 2020-2021 season. The school said the cuts will help make up for $100 million in football losses and an overall deficit of as much as $75 million this fiscal year.