Journal-World series: The finances of KU Athletics

In September 2017, when KU announced plans to build $350 million in new facilities, primarily for football, it marked the beginning of one of the biggest financial bets the program has ever made. The Journal-World decided to study the financial books, talk to leaders and give readers a better understanding of the money game that is constantly a part of big-time college athletics.

• April 29, 2018 — A look at the finances of Kansas Athletics: Rising revenues, soaring costs, big bets

• April 29 — KU basketball saves athletic department budget, allows leaders to dream of ‘blue sky potential’

• May 6 — KU football ticket sales down about $6 million per year; some question whether $300 million in new facilities will help

• May 13 — Administrative salaries jumped by 42 percent in a single year at Kansas Athletics; KU salaries top K-State’s

• May 13 — How much does KU spend on athletics? More than the city spends on police, fire and roads, but returns are big too

• May 20 — Girod: Athletics important to KU, but there is a “disconnect” too

• May 20 — Should KU be worried about getting dumped from a Power 5 Conference? The financial stakes are huge

• May 22 — Rock Chalk Park started as $39 million deal for KU; now it may top $100 million after KU allowed lease to be changed