UConn vs. Alabama basketball’s financial disparities
(BVM) – Not all men’s basketball teams are being treated equally heading into their Final Four matchup of the 2024 March Madness tournament.
These are not the same @NCAA pic.twitter.com/MIKdhtN9n6
— UConn Football Scoops (@uconnfbscoops) April 4, 2024
For example – per the above photos posted on social media – NC State’s DJ Burns (6-foot-9, 275 pounds) appears to have been given a spacious king-sized bed in his hotel room for the Final Four – while UConn’s Stephon Castle (6-foot-6, 215 pounds) appears to have been given a much smaller double bed.
UConn fans have since demanded answers from the NCAA, as the organization makes all the travel arrangements for the NCAA tournament.
While on the topic of financial inequalities, BVM Sports has acquired the most up-to-date 2023 fiscal year NCAA financial reports (covering July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023) for both UConn and Alabama.
Revenue
In FY2023, Alabama men’s basketball earned $20.6 million in revenue, while UConn men’s basketball raked in about 50% less – totaling $10.6 million.
- UConn’s ticket sales generated $6.3 million, while Alabama brought in far less at $2.8 million.
Expenses
UConn and Alabama men’s basketball spent nearly the same amount of money in FY2023; UConn expensed $13.9 million and Alabama used $12.8 million.
- UConn allotted just $4,081 on-travel meal allowances, food and snacks, whereas Alabama spent $183,379.
- UConn invested $744,942 in recruiting its athletes. However, Alabama’s recruiting budget was half of UConn’s for that year – totaling $375,453.
Profits
In FY2023, the Crimson Tide men’s basketball team posted a significant profit of $7.8 million, showcasing its financial success. In contrast, the Huskies men’s hoops program faced financial challenges, recording a loss of -$3.3 million during the same period.
