Proposed USU Athletics Fee Hike Denied by Utah Board

The Utah Board of Higher Education struck down a plan from Utah State University to increase student fees in order to support its athletics program, The Salt Lake Tribune reported Tuesday.

The university had hoped to raise the annual student athletics fee to $290. The institution’s president, Brad Mortenson, said the increase was needed to support the athletics department due to revenue sharing with athletes and the institution’s upcoming move to the Pac-12 Conference, though he added that the fee could be lowered next year. The institution, he added, plans to study other ways to raise more money, such as sponsorships, higher ticket and concession prices, and potentially renting out USU’s arena and stadium

But the board called the proposed fee increase “unsustainable.” It ultimately approved a smaller increase, to $247.47. Other colleges struggling with athletic deficits have also sought to raise student fees or ticket prices.

According to the records obtained by the Tribune, USU spent more than $51 million on athletics in fiscal year 2023, and all USU sports programs, including football, ran a deficit that year. The athletics department reported a total debt of $44.5 million.