{
  "id": 5082158,
  "title": "Being In A Power Conference Doesn’t Solve All Your Problems",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/being-in-a-power-conference-doesnt-solve-all-your-problems",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-02T12:13:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/being-power-conference-doesn-t-121300710.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Monday, UCLA dismissed Athletic Director Martin Jarmond, likely due to the university's financial turmoil. The athletic department has been hemorrhaging cash, with a $21.5 million deficit in 2025 and $51.9 million in 2024. Over the past five years, the department has accumulated over $200 million in debt. Ticket sales are dwindling, possibly because West Coast fans have little interest in schools like Wisconsin and Nebraska. Donations have also dwindled, and travel expenses have exacerbated the situation.\n\nUCLA is not alone in its struggles. Maryland departed the ACC due to financial woes, managing to pay down most of its debt but still losing $4 million to $5 million annually. Arizona had a slight surplus of $400,000 in 2024-25, a positive sign. Ohio State spent $292.7 million against $254.9 million in revenue in 2024, while Rutgers has lost $516 million since joining the Big Ten and hasn't been able to compete. The ACC isn't immune to the issue either, with UNC incurring a $15 million operating deficit in 2024-25, requiring it to tap into its emergency reserves.\n\nNorth Carolina State also faces challenges, spending $144 million in 2025-26 against just $126 million in revenue. Duke managed to turn a profit in 2024, but the margin was slim, with $181.6 million in revenue against $180.6 million in expenses. It's clear that conferences don't want professionals returning to college as it will only exacerbate costs. It's evident that this financial situation cannot continue indefinitely, and at some point, the money will run out.",
  "summary": "On Monday, UCLA fired AD Martin Jarmond, apparently because the program is a financial disaster. The athletic department has lost a ton of money. In 2025, UCLA had a $21.5 million deficit; in 2024, it was an eye-watering $51.9 million. Over the last five years, the athletic department has racked up over $200 million in […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}