Michigan Athletics Projects Balanced Budget for FY 2027
6/25/2026 4:09:00 PM | General
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan Athletic Department presented to the Board of Regents a balanced budget for Fiscal 2027 on Thursday (June 25), with the projections based on operating revenues and expenses of $297.3 million.
The financial outlook for athletics is dependent annually on the number of home football games at Michigan Stadium. Due to an imbalanced schedule, the number of home football games is the primary driver of annual fluctuations in spectator-admission revenue. In 2027, the department projects an increase of approximately $17.6 million because of an eight-game home schedule compared to the six home games last year.
Michigan Athletics will experience an $8.4 million increase in expenses across three primary areas during the upcoming fiscal year, with $5.9 million directly impacting the student-athlete experience. Revenue sharing will increase $3.32 million from last fiscal year to $21.32 million and financial aid will see a $2.59 million increase to $42.53 million. Salaries, wages and benefits are expected to increase by $2.53 million due in part to football staff transition costs and annual salary increases.
Michigan Athletics could realize higher revenue in Fiscal 2027 should new revenue streams come to fruition. The department and its marketing rights holder, Michigan Sports Properties and Learfield, are in the process of discussing new sponsor opportunities involving jersey patches, field and court logos, in-game sponsorships and digital scoreboard advertising not previously sold at Michigan Stadium. The revenue generated through the new Leaders and Best Champion Partner Program will be invested into the student-athlete experience through scholarships, NIL opportunities, upgrading athletic facilities and retaining world-class coaches and staff.
Other highlights of the operating budget for the 2027 fiscal year are:
• Conference distributions are expected to increase by $3.9 million, primarily related to bowl game/College Football Playoff expansion revenue.
• The addition of $4 million in net revenues from two Morgan Wallen concert dates in Michigan Stadium (July 24-25).
• A $2.8 million increase in concession revenues driven by two additional home football games and the expected growth resulting from a new concessions contract with Levy.
• Athletics will transfer $5.5 million to a deferred maintenance fund, which is used to provide for major repair and rehabilitation projects on athletic facilities.
Michigan Athletics achieved great success in the classroom and in the competitive arena. Academically, the Wolverines had 430 student-athletes earn Academic All-Big Ten Conference accolades, with 34 of those individuals receiving CSC Academic All-District honors. Athletically, a total of 28 student-athletes earned All-American accolades and 108 received All-Big Ten accolades, including 13 individual conference champions and six athletes of the year in their respective sport.
From a team perspective, Michigan was second in the conference with seven conference titles, claiming three regular-season and four conference championship crowns. A total of 20 teams competed in postseason competition nationally, with six teams finishing top eight in their sport, including the 2026 Men's Basketball NCAA Championship.
