GAINESVILLE — The Florida athletics budget will increase by $30.4 million in 2026-27, marking a $55 million bump the past two years as major college programs began sharing revenue with athletes.
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Budget figures obtained by the Orlando Sentinel show expenses increasing from $205.12 million in 2025-26 to $235.7 million in 2026-27. Revenues will balance out at $235.7 million, up from $205.2 million.
The 12.9% increase follows a 13.4% jump in 2025-26 and far outpaces the 13.2% growth in spending during the previous five-year period from 2019 to 2024.
Among the largest increases is a $7 million rise in scholarships and revenue-sharing expenses, which are budgeted at $46.2 million. Coaching turnover in football also contributed to higher costs, pushing salaries, wages and across Florida’s 21 athletic programs to $100.1 million — an increase of nearly $13 million.
Florida incurred more than $16 million in buyout obligations after firing football coach Billy Napier and his staff. The school paid $10.6 million of Napier’s $21.2 million buyout within 30 days of his dismissal and owes an additional $2.65 million annually through 2029.
New head coach Jon Sumrall, who signed a six-year deal worth $44.7 million, saw salaries for his staff, including strength coach Rusty Whitt, increase 49% over Napier’s staff. Sumrall’s 15 key assistants will earn a combined $11.8 million, compared with $7.5 million for Napier’s coordinators and 12 primary assistants.
The NCAA’s decision to eliminate scholarship limits while imposing roster caps also increased costs. UF’s University Athletics Association budgeted scholarship funding of $156,000 for each of its 459 student-athletes.
The financial changes stem largely from the $2.8 billion House v. NCAA settlement approved in June 2025. The agreement allowed schools to share up to $20.5 million annually with athletes, a figure that will increase to $21.3 million in 2026-27.
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Florida also budgeted $6.6 million for student-athlete services, including nutrition, strength and conditioning, athletic training and mental health support.
Additional costs include $2.4 million on facilities improvements, $2 million for team travel and $1.4 million for athlete medical expenses.
Football remains the financial engine of athletic director Scott Stricklin’s department and is projected to generate approximately $140.5 million, accounting for 60% of UAA revenues. Men’s basketball is budgeted to produce $21.2 million, or roughly 9%.
Higher expenses will be offset by several major revenue gains. SEC and NCAA distributions are projected to increase by $15 million to $74.1 million, driven largely by the new College Football Playoff television contract and increased SEC TV revenue. Donor contributions are expected to be $7.9 million more, for a $46.3 million total.
Florida also expects a significant increase in event-related revenue.
The Gators’ neutral-site matchup with Georgia in Atlanta on Oct. 31 will reportedly generate $9 million per school, more than double the approximately $4 million each school received annually for the rivalry game in Jacksonville. The game is being relocated because of renovations to EverBank Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars.
Florida and Georgia are scheduled to meet in Tampa in 2027 before returning to Jacksonville.
The budget also includes increases of $4.2 million in other revenue categories and nearly $2.2 million in student fees, helping Florida manage the growing costs needed to run one of the nation’s top athletic programs.
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Edgar Thompson can be reached at [email protected]