UCF athletics reports $20 million revenue surplus for 2021-22 fiscal year

UCF‘s athletic department found itself once again in the black, according to its end-of-the-year NCAA report.

The Knights posted $89.2 million in total operating revenue during the 2022 fiscal year (July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022), a 30% increase from $68.2 million in 2020-21. The department posted operating expenses of $69 million, resulting in a $20.1 million revenue surplus.

It’s the fifth straight year in which UCF posted a revenue surplus and the first under Athletics Director Terry Mohajir.

Ticket sales increased 183% as home venues returned to full capacity after safety restrictions were lifted following the COVID-19 pandemic. Revenue went from $2.04 million in 2020-21 to $5.78 million in 2021-22.

The football program generated 40% of the department’s revenue, or $35.71 million, with $4.89 million coming from ticket sales. According to the NCAA, UCF saw nearly 92% capacity for its seven home games during the 2021-22 season, with an average of 40,427 fans per game.

The Knights finished 9-4 under first-year coach Gus Malzahn, capped by a 29-17 win over Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl on Dec. 23, 2021.

Donor contributions were reported at $14.3 million, an 86% increase from 2020-21, when the department reported contributions of $7.7 million.

UCF received $7.78 million in revenue from the American Athletic Conference and $1.5 million distributed from the NCAA. The Knights also received $6.8 million in royalties, licensing agreements, advertisements and sponsorships.

Another source of extended revenue was the university’s $24.6 million in direct institutional support.

Operating expenses increased by 13% from $60.8 million in 2020-21 to $69 million in 2021-22.

After reporting coaches’ salaries, benefits and bonuses of $14.7 million the previous fiscal year, UCF saw a slight decline to $14.3 in 2021-22. That figure includes $6.6 million in salaries and bonuses for the football staff. The department also spent more on its coaching support staffs, going from $11.9 million to $12.7 million.

Other areas that saw increases were recruiting and team travel, which were impacted significantly during the pandemic. Recruiting expenses rose 311% from $249,527 in 2020-21 to $1 million in 2021-22, while travel expenses increased 56% from $2.7 million in 2021 to $4.3 million in 2022.

Money spent on fundraising, marketing and promotions increased from $992,638 to $2.4 million.

This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Matt Murschel at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @osmattmurschel.