Make plans for a football season that’s not normal, USC’s Caslen says
In speaking this week to students and parents, as well as University of South Carolina faculty and staff, school president Robert Caslen described football as a key driver and motivator in student and community life in Columbia.
And he warned that people should expect a 2020 season that looks different than usual, with financial impacts that come with it.
The football program generated $65.4 million of the $86 million in sports-specific revenue last year. With the uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple plans have been floated for the season, and social distancing guidelines almost assuredly would have an impact on crowds around games — including how many people are allowed attend games.
The school is already facing millions in lost revenue because of the coronavirus impacts, and Caslen warned in one of his virtual town halls this week that some kind of “alteration” to the football season should be expected.
“The other thing that is critical to the fall is the athletic program, principally generated by revenue generated with the football program,” Caslen said. “Whether that’s TV revenue, whether it’s in-stadium revenue, and any alteration of a normal football season — which you can make the assumption will be the case — whether it’s a shorter season, whether it’s no season, whether it’s a full season but less people in the stands, or whatever that looks like, is going to be a compromise of revenue, which will have an impact on the athletic program.”
USC Athletics Director Ray Tanner has said his staff is focused on getting to the end of this fiscal year (through June) in the black as if figures out plans for the fall. The cancellation of the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments put a dent in all schools’ projected disbursements from the NCAA.
Tanner also said in a radio interview that the department, like most departments, does not have the insurance to absorb a fully canceled football season. South Carolina’s campus is closed to in-person classes until Aug. 1
The fate of football season looks it will not be in the hands of the university, the president said. Those choices will be made at higher levels (such as the SEC and NCAA). Options for what a season might look like include a delayed or abridged season, or a season that spans the fall and spring.
But how things look from a fan side — Will stadiums be filled? Would smaller crowds will be let in under social distancing rules? — will be made at the school level. He noted those concerns have not been sorted out.
South Carolina’s football season is scheduled to open on Sept. 5 against Coastal Carolina. But even the Chanticleers’ conference, the Sun Belt, has discussed a league-only schedule being an option this fall.
Tanner recently said in a radio interview that season ticket renewals were actually up year-over-year. He had previously written a letter to fans that refunds would be issued if events were canceled.
Both USC and Clemson have extended season ticket payment deadlines and have promised refunds to fans for any home games that are not played.
“If for any reason the 2020 season or any portion of the home schedule is not played, we will refund affected payments,” USC announced to prospective season ticket holders.
South Carolina 2020 Football Schedule
Sept. 5 — vs. Coastal Carolina
Sept. 12 — vs. East Carolina
Sept. 19 — vs. Missouri*
Sept. 26 — at Kentucky*
Oct. 3 — at Florida*
Oct. 10 — vs. Tennessee*
Oct. 17 — Bye Week
Oct. 24 — vs. Texas A&M*
Oct. 31 — at Vanderbilt*
Nov. 7 — vs. Georgia*
Nov. 14 — at LSU*
Nov. 21 — vs. Wofford
Nov. 28 — at Clemson
*SEC game
