Alabama AD makes stance on cutting sports for Crimson Tide clea

Alabama-AD-Greg-Byrne-emphasizing-Crimson-Tide-not-cutting-non-revenue-sports

Since the NCAA was founded in 1906, institutions have never directly paid athletes. That will now change with the passing of the House v. NCAA settlement on June 6, ushering in the revenue-sharing era of college sports.

Beginning July 1, schools will be able to share $20.5 million with athletes, with football expected to receive 75%, followed by men’s basketball (15%), women’s basketball (5%) and the remainder of sports (5%). The amount shared in revenue will increase annually.

With this colossal change in the college sports landscape affecting everyone from the top down, Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne was asked by 105.5 WNSP Friday morning about what this case will do to non-revenue sports. Specifically, Byrne was asked if Alabama would have to discontinue some of those programs at the university.

“We’re gonna try everything we can to have that not be the case,” Byrne said, per Mike Rodak. “We have one team that makes a healthy profit in football. We have one that turns a profit in men’s basketball. However, we have 19 that don’t. Football has been the sport that has historically supported the department, and the investments we’ve made in the young men in our football program I’m very proud of, both from a revenue-sharing standpoint but also what we do holistically with the young men.”

“As far as how many sports we have, it’s a hard model. There’s no doubt about it. But at the same time, too, I believe in the model and I think it’s something worth investing in and we continue to plan to do so here at the University of Alabama.”

Byrne gets into the weeds to discuss Alabama’s plan

Earlier this week, Byrne explained Alabama‘s plan for dividing revenue sharing in the near future. Along with football and men’s basketball, the university supports varsity teams in women’s basketball, baseball, women’s soccer, softball, volleyball, tennis, golf, cross country, swimming and diving and track and field.

That’s not all, though. Alabama also supports club sports in crew, cricket, cycling, disc golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, racquetball, rugby, soccer, team handball, tennis, Ultimate, wheelchair basketball, water polo, water skiing and wrestling.