Pay Some Attention to this Item from Robbie Neiswanger this Morning

[WilsonHog]

"Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long reiterated Monday that the program is still trying to raise the $1.2 million needed to replace the grass in the stadium with field turf in time for the 2009 season." Long said in the article that he was "reasonably confident" we could secure the funds.

Those statements have implications across the financial landscape of Razorback athletics. 

[weresoclose]

I have heard that we couldn't afford to buy Pel out.

[Dwight_K_Shrute]

"Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long reiterated Monday that the program is still trying to raise the $1.2 million needed to replace the grass in the stadium with field turf in time for the 2009 season." Long said in the article that he was "reasonably confident" we could secure the funds.

Those statements have implications across the financial landscape of Razorback athletics. 

There is one reason and one reason alone we don't have this money or the money to replace other coaches if needed.

The GD golden shower we got from Cheerleader, Senile Old Man, and Pansy President.  If cheerleader's settlement were the same as say Nolan's we would have either paid him slowly over time if he stayed out of coaching, or about 1 day's pay.

There is no difference in that situation and some of the BS that has happened on Wall Street.

[Oliver]

"Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long reiterated Monday that the program is still trying to raise the $1.2 million needed to replace the grass in the stadium with field turf in time for the 2009 season." Long said in the article that he was "reasonably confident" we could secure the funds.

Those statements have implications across the financial landscape of Razorback athletics. 

And probably hint at the most important reason Pel is getting another year?

BTW, is this new turf being installed to please Petrino more than any other reason?

[WilsonHog]

I have heard that we couldn't afford to buy Pel out.

I have heard that as well. Sometimes is doesn't matter why a coach is given another year, only that he is.

The opportunity to coach a third year at UA is there for Pel. Now we all get to sit back and see what he can make of that opportunity. If he suceeds, great. If he doesn't, we close the books on him and move forward.

[jackflash]

Plus +1 WilsonHog that's just the way it is.

[mbgrulz]

You guys wanting to can Pel after 2 seasons (1 season with his guys) are crazy.

Unless we get a home run hitter for a coach, we will be right back where we started when we got Pel.

We lucked into Petrino, because we couldn't give the job away before he decided ATL sucked and he wanted out.

Look at what Pel did after his worst season at USA.

[Hawgndaaz]

And probably hint at the most important reason Pel is getting another year?

BTW, is this new turf being installed to please Petrino more than any other reason?

Petrino has stated he believes it will give us a competitive advantage in at least 3 ways:

1. We already play 3 games a year on the stuff (2 in little rock, 1 in Dallas) and it will give us more of a home field advantage because we can practice inside DDW year-round. Since the weather in NWA is pretty inconsistent we are forced to practice inside quite often, which is also fake grass.

2. Recruits tend to like it more, because it is more consistent than grass and many big high schools are now using it.

3. It will make the stadium more accessible to host other events. Not sure if it was BP that said this, but its a fact.

[Ash]

There is one reason and one reason alone we don't have this money or the money to replace other coaches if needed.

The GD golden shower we got from Cheerleader, Senile Old Man, and Pansy President.  If cheerleader's settlement were the same as say Nolan's we would have either paid him slowly over time if he stayed out of coaching, or about 1 day's pay.

There is no difference in that situation and some of the BS that has happened on Wall Street.

QFT

[secfan30]

Is the Razorback Foundation Broke? Or is that money only to supplement coaches salaries?

[JShipCPA]

Is the Razorback Foundation Broke? Or is that money only to supplement coaches salaries?

They ain't broke...  Not by a long-shot...

[weresoclose]

They ain't broke...  Not by a long-shot...

How much do you think they had in the first place?  With our former and current football coaches cashing much larger paychecks than we've ever written to a coach, I imagine the piggy bank is pretty light these days. 

Who do you think will write big time checks for us?  Tyson, Inc. is struggling to say the least, and the housing market ain't what it used to be.

[ErieHog]

How much do you think they had in the first place?  With our former and current football coaches cashing much larger paychecks than we've ever written to a coach, I imagine the piggy bank is pretty light these days. 

Who do you think will write big time checks for us?  Tyson, Inc. is struggling to say the least, and the housing market ain't what it used to be.

The public disclosure records had them with over 90 million, as of shortly before the Nutt termination.

[rude1]

They ain't broke...  Not by a long-shot...

Maybe not broke, but it is not in the greatest of financial shape. Donations like the economy is down, and the expenditures are up. No matter what we like to think, the money to support athletics is not endless at the University. We are not part of the elite financially in the nation.

[weresoclose]

The public disclosure records had them with over 90 million, as of shortly before the Nutt termination.

And before the economy turned.  Wonder how much is left.  Whatever it is, I doubt anyone wants to spend it.

[ErieHog]

And before the economy turned.  Wonder how much is left.  Whatever it is, I doubt anyone wants to spend it.

Depends entirely in how they had the money invested;  most organizations like the Razorback Foundation had very low-risk portfolios, heavy investment in bonds, for example.

[Hawgon]

Depends entirely in how they had the money invested;  most organizations like the Razorback Foundation had very low-risk portfolios, heavy investment in bonds, for example.

As you say, MOST ORGANIZATIONS.  I would be interested to see what the Razorback Foundation had. 

[weresoclose]

Depends entirely in how they had the money invested;  most organizations like the Razorback Foundation had very low-risk portfolios, heavy investment in bonds, for example.

Many financial advisers viewed fanny/freddy as low-risk.  Lots of retirement plans changed after that bailout.

[peakhog]

"Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long reiterated Monday that the program is still trying to raise the $1.2 million needed to replace the grass in the stadium with field turf in time for the 2009 season." Long said in the article that he was "reasonably confident" we could secure the funds.

Those statements have implications across the financial landscape of Razorback athletics. 

Razorback fan Peakhog reiterated Tuesday that he is still trying to raise the $1900 for RF$, Gardens Parking, Season Tickets, Chairbacks, and The A&M game. Peakhog said he was reasonably confident he could secure the funds.   :razorback: :razorback: :razorback:

[Oklahawg]

UA needs a spectacular, not merely great, baseball season. DVH getting his bunch to where they host a regional/super regional means a nice chunk of unexpected change. Millions? no, but a good sum.

Gives fans optimism until we have a great football season.

[Smokehouse]

UA needs a spectacular, not merely great, baseball season. DVH getting his bunch to where they host a regional/super regional means a nice chunk of unexpected change. Millions? no, but a good sum.

Gives fans optimism until we have a great football season.

well, he's off to a good start, at least. Got me excited, but then again, I'm a student so I don't pay to go to the games anyway.

[cityhog]

well, he's off to a good start, at least. Got me excited, but then again, I'm a student so I don't pay to go to the games anyway.

where do you get student tix to baseball games?  are they free?

[mpeacock]

^You usually only need to show your student ID at the gate.

[The Boar War]

As you say, MOST ORGANIZATIONS.  I would be interested to see what the Razorback Foundation had. 

I would be willing to believe that some of the funds were tied up in real estate.  But I'm less concerned about this statement than most.  Turf is not something we have to have.  It's certainly not something we have to have right now.  Maybe Jeff Long is raising money for the turf because he doesn't want to take it out of what he already has (keeping some money for a rainy day).  It makes sense to me.

[Hawgon]

I would be willing to believe that some of the funds were tied up in real estate.  But I'm less concerned about this statement than most.  Turf is not something we have to have.  It's certainly not something we have to have right now.  Maybe Jeff Long is raising money for the turf because he doesn't want to take it out of what he already has (keeping some money for a rainy day).  It makes sense to me.

There was a reason this was posted in the basketball forum.  The rumor is that we don't have the money to pull the trigger on Pelphrey, so he gets another year regardless.  If we don't have the money to put in turf, make simple routine upgrades at Bud Walton, buyout coaches, and the like, where is all the money we allegedly had?

[The Boar War]

There was a reason this was posted in the basketball forum.  The rumor is that we don't have the money to pull the trigger on Pelphrey, so he gets another year regardless.  If we don't have the money to put in turf, make simple routine upgrades at Bud Walton, buyout coaches, and the like, where is all the money we allegedly had?

Who knows?  College athletics is the worst business model ever invented.  Universities issue coaches huge multi-million dollar contracts to stay competitive.  Then they fire the coaches and pay multi-million dollar contract buyouts.  If we don't have the money it's probably because of this, a decrease in donations from both corporations and individuals alike, a major drop in the housing market, and a downward turn in the stock market.

But I really believe we do have the money to buy Pelphrey out.  The guys not making all that much.  How big could the buyout be? 

[Hawgon]

Who knows?  College athletics is the worst business model ever invented.  Universities issue coaches huge multi-million dollar contracts to stay competitive.  Then they fire the coaches and pay multi-million dollar contract buyouts.  If we don't have the money it's probably because of this, a decrease in donations from both corporations and individuals alike, a major drop in the housing market, and a downward turn in the stock market.

But I really believe we do have the money to buy Pelphrey out.  The guys not making all that much.  How big could the buyout be? 

Well, if you're paying attention, it was also posted by a Mod that the Foundation had less than half of what was required for the $1.2 million to put in the turf.  Pel's salary is $700,000 so the buyout is probably at least half of that.

Donations were actually up last year at $12.4 million.  If the above figures are true, then where did the money go?

[WilsonHog]

Who knows?  College athletics is the worst business model ever invented.  Universities issue coaches huge multi-million dollar contracts to stay competitive.  Then they fire the coaches and pay multi-million dollar contract buyouts.  If we don't have the money it's probably because of this, a decrease in donations from both corporations and individuals alike, a major drop in the housing market, and a downward turn in the stock market.

But I really believe we do have the money to buy Pelphrey out.  The guys not making all that much.  How big could the buyout be? 

It's not just buying the current coach out; the other half of that equation is that the funds have to be there to hire a new one. And the names I've heard ain't coming for $700,000 a year.

[Hoggy1]

It's not just buying the current coach out; the other half of that equation is that the funds have to be there to hire a new one. And the names I've heard ain't coming for $700,000 a year.

This is just me.... but if JL wanted to make a coaching change to turn this thing around, the university could find a way to pay a new basketball coach big time $.

[PorkRyan]

This is just me.... but if JL wanted to make a coaching change to turn this thing around, the university could find a way to pay a new basketball coach big time $.

The increase in ticket sales alone would pay for a name coach.

[grayhawg]

I thought I read this month Forbes magazine lists Arkansas as the fifteenth richest basketball program with over 10 million dollars in operating capital.
Anybody else see that? Or is my memory getting worse?

[Hawgon]

This is just me.... but if JL wanted to make a coaching change to turn this thing around, the university could find a way to pay a new basketball coach big time $.

I just kind of get the feeling that Long is out there on an island a little bit right now.  I don't think people at the Foundation are falling all over themselves to help him find ways to come up with money.

[Hawgndaaz]

Going to a bowl game + money from A & M game + ESPN payout = much more capitol this time next year.

correct me if i am wrong, but... won't that be almost 20m more per year?

Who knows?  College athletics is the worst business model ever invented.  Universities issue coaches huge multi-million dollar contracts to stay competitive.  Then they fire the coaches and pay multi-million dollar contract buyouts.  If we don't have the money it's probably because of this, a decrease in donations from both corporations and individuals alike, a major drop in the housing market, and a downward turn in the stock market.

But I really believe we do have the money to buy Pelphrey out.  The guys not making all that much.  How big could the buyout be? 

Not to mention outside of the 3 or 4 revenue-generating sports, the other 20+ are basically on the athletic department welfare system. I love having competitive sports in other areas, but good lord, it's rediculous how much money we LOSE because we are required to fund an equal number of men's and women's sports.

[hogfanshan]

Maybe JL is very aware of the down economy and is attempting to raise the money in other ways than our previous administration did...i.e. not asking the Razorback Foundation to simply hand it over.

[Hawgon]

There is no doubt that the athletic department is going to be making some serious cash with all the deals that Long is working.

But for right now, as long as the State of Arkansas has a law that state employees can't be paid more than $300,000 a year, the privately held Razorback Foundation is the only way to get a coach properly compensated.  Thus, when making hiring and firing decisions, the AD is greatly dependent upon support from the Razorback Foundation.

[hoosier]

The public disclosure records had them with over 90 million, as of shortly before the Nutt termination.

That sounds like a lot of money to lose for the RF to be broke. Even with all of the stuff that has happened since then. Maybe the RF just doesn't want to foot the whole bill and wants to see some other investors come up with some money.

[Smokehouse]

where do you get student tix to baseball games?  are they free?

just bring your student ID to the gate and they give you a general admission ticket.

[Hawgndaaz]

just bring your student ID to the gate and they give you a general admission ticket.

Do not forget to bring a chair and a rolling cooler with your beverage of choice (cans only). Also, bring a cup to pour said beverage in as you can't drink out of beer cans in public display.

[WhenPigsFly]

The thing is, the money the athletic department spends comes from two different pots.  The head coaches' salaries pay from the University is limited to around $125,000, more or less.  So when we pay Petrino almost $3 million, most of that come from the Foundation.  If Pel makes $700,000, most that is paid by the Foundation.

Ticket sales, concessions, etc go into the Department fund, which then has to pay for women's softball, tennis, diving, etc.  And our Department is fortunate to have three revenue producing sports:  football, basketball, and baseball.

My point is, the Foundation's annual obligation and expenditure is probably much more than most of us realize.  And if their investments have tanked, as most have over the past few months, then the RF may not be the money source  we think it is.

[The Marmot]

The public disclosure records had them with over 90 million, as of shortly before the Nutt termination.

What public disclosure records?

[ErieHog]

What public disclosure records?

They have tax records which can be tracked in the public domain.

[Beaverfever]

It's pretty far fetched to believe our athletic program is poor, or at least that it has much less money than it once had.  BP is the first coach that we have ever really paid big bucks for in any sport and football and baseball are doing better than ever in ticket sales.  Basketball ticket sales were solid this year I believe and Pel makes like 700k.  I don't believe for a second that they don't have money.  If they don't then someone needs to do some serious explaining.

[weresoclose]

BP is the first coach that we have ever really paid big bucks for in any sport

Nutt was first -- 3.5 homie.

[Beaverfever]

Nutt was first -- 3.5 homie.

That was his buyout.  Nutt never made an impressive salary comparitively.

[Tusks]

the gobn pillaged the coffers between the time the boat hit the ice berg and then sank.

you think jl wanted another run on the BOT for the luv of the UA....no....it was to be able to control the information so fans dont know things like.....the UA cant buy pel out or that the turf funds are short.

one day they will all be dead....new boosters will be donating funds and the coffers will be flush....life will be good.

[weresoclose]

All I know is $700,000 is ridiculously overpaying for what we got this year.  I sure hope no bonuses were achieved.  Sheesh.

[3kgthog]

Thank God I now have real proof of what I (and a few others) have been saying since the basketball team started to tank. We never had the money to buy Pelphrey out let alone get a better coach like some were hoping for. All our cash is tied up with paying two head football coaches and one of them isn't even ours.

As of today I'm preparing myself for the sticker shock of this year's season tickets. I have no doubt there's going to be one hell of a price jump to pay for stupid things we don't need like new turf. Keep the freakin' grass until we can pay for it! It's not going to make THAT big a difference on the field.

[The Marmot]

They have tax records which can be tracked in the public domain.

Link? I'd like to see where they had ~$90 million 2 years ago.

[ErieHog]

Link? I'd like to see where they had ~$90 million 2 years ago.

Its out there on the board, back in the discussions of the HDN fiasco.  The last tax return that I had seen was from 2004, and was in the neighborhood of $96M.

With a couple of hours of searching, I'm sure it could be dug back up.  I'm just not up to doing it right now.

[The Marmot]

Its out there on the board, back in the discussions of the HDN fiasco.  The last tax return that I had seen was from 2004, and was in the neighborhood of $96M.

With a couple of hours of searching, I'm sure it could be dug back up.  I'm just not up to doing it right now.

From what I've found, they had roughly $13 million in mid-2007.

Go to guidestar.org, sign up and search on razorback foundation. I got my info from their 2007 990 form to the IRS.