Oregon State University said Beaver athletics is not in any immediate financial distress because of Pac-12 budget issues that are expected to cost each member school millions in repayment.
A financial audit recently revealed that Comcast overpaid the Pac-12 some $50 million for television distribution from 2012-16. Pac-12 schools could be on the hook for nearly $6 million each.
The news had consequences at Washington State earlier this week. School president Kirk Schulz ordered a temporary hiring freeze and a pause on non-essential travel, purchases and new professional development for Cougar athletics because of the Comcast situation. WSU has also exceeded its athletics budget for the current year.
Oregon State does not find itself in a situation like Washington State, according to the president’s office. Steve Clark, vice president of university relations, issued a statement to The Oregonian/OregonLive that said:
“OSU’s Athletics Department is tracking ahead of its budget for this fiscal year that ends June 30, 2023. OSU Athletics and Oregon State University administrators will meet to discuss how to address any impacts related to any changes in Pac-12 Conference revenues paid conference member universities.
“We do not anticipate any impact on Oregon State’s academic, research or extension and engagement mission or programs. OSU Athletics does not anticipate a freeze on athletics department hiring or expenditures as reported to be planned at one PAC-12 university.”
–Nick Daschel | ndaschel@oregonian.com | @nickdaschel