Money, money, money! Some describe the NCAA as the sports version of Monopoly. Illinois now officially lists its athletic budget at $110 million, this year incorporating State Farm Center operating costs and debt service into what had previously been accepted as a number somewhere over $80 million. Dollars are flying in all directions. In this school year alone, the UI athletic department bought out athletic director Mike Thomas for $2.774 million, paid two head football coaches and most of their staffs to leave, signed Lovie Smith to a six-year, $21 million pact (potentially a $29 million deal if he hits certain incentives), allocated $4 million this year for his staff, paid enormous investigative and legal fees, and encountered various other expenses including new student-athlete stipends and additional meals. Less than two months into his job as athletic director, Josh Whitman is wrestling with a stressed and complicated budget. He addressed the financial issues earlier this week. -Loren Tate, News-Gazette, Read More
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