{
  "id": 9637140,
  "title": "LSU athletics projects $26 million deficit for 2026-27 fiscal year",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/lsu-athletics-projects-26-million-deficit-for-2026-27-fiscal-year",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-24T22:10:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/lsu-athletics-projects-26-million-221045002.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "LSU athletics is forecasting a $26 million deficit for the 2026-27 fiscal year, according to a report from LSU President Wade Rousse. The university received $44 million in losses during the previous fiscal year, which exceeded initial projections following the start of revenue sharing last fall. In the past six years, LSU's athletics department has accrued a deficit of $177.5 million in combined budgets. The university has made significant changes to its budget, including firing former head football coach Brian Kelly, who owes a $54 million buyout, and dismissing athletics director Scott Woodward and men's basketball coach Matt McMahon. The NIL deals and coaching changes have resulted in a financial gap that requires the creation of a new revenue-generating model. Rousse stated that the university is preparing to announce this plan soon and is considering placing its broadcast rights money in a separate entity to invest and generate income.",
  "summary": "LSU athletics is looking at a large deficit for the 2026-27 fiscal year.",
  "key_points": [
    "LSU athletics predicts $26 million deficit for 2026-27 fiscal year",
    "University had $44 million losses in previous fiscal year",
    "Changes include firing coach Kelly and dismissing AD Woodward"
  ],
  "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."
}