July 13, 2026
By Malabika Dutta, Essentially Sports: Two years after leaving the Pac-12 for the Big Ten, the University of Washington is running a sports budget that does not balance. The school’s athletic department expects to spend $206 million in the 2027 fiscal year but bring in only about $190 million, leaving a $16 million deficit tied directly to the conference move.
The shortfall is not a one-time surprise, per Seattle Times. Washington’s sports operation has not posted a positive cash flow since fiscal 2023, and officials warn that the pressure will continue through at least 2030, when the Big Ten’s current media deal ends.
The deficit grows because the Big Ten costs more to play in than the Pac-12 ever did. Travel is longer, staff salaries are higher, and the school still has to pay for major stadium renovations.
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