IOWA CITY, Iowa — Iowa athletics has recovered from its financial losses from COVID-19, bringing in more than $167.4 million in income during the fiscal 2023 year, according to an NCAA document obtained by The Athletic through a state open-records request.
The department achieved its first seven-figure surplus in five years at $7.1 million over expenses ($160.3 million). The total revenue was a $15.9 million increase from fiscal year 2022.
There were two primary areas for the financial jump: Iowa brought in nearly $43 million in contributions during the 2023 fiscal year, which ended June 30. That was nearly $13.4 million over the previous year. Some of that extra revenue came from donations for a 38,500 square foot, wrestling-only facility that opens this spring. The total cost for the facility is $31.4 million.
Total ticket sales soared year over year by $3.2 million. The football program earned $23.3 million in ticket revenue, up nearly $2 million from fiscal 2022.
Women’s basketball hit nearly $1.44 million in ticket revenue, nearly double the program’s previous high of $767,069 in 2022. Both men’s basketball ($3.74 million) and wrestling ($1.22 million) saw ticket sales increase between $330,000 (men’s basketball) and $250,000 (wrestling).
Among the other notable…
