Month: January 2026

Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Despite an 8% increase in revenue last school year, MU Athletics still required more than $25 million in university funding to operate.

The athletics department finished the 2024–25 fiscal year with a $9.1 million budget deficit after expenses rose 4%. The shortfall marked a significant improvement from the $18 million deficit recorded in the 2022–23 fiscal year.

Following a Cotton Bowl victory over Ohio State to close the 2023 season, football ticket revenue increased by $2.1 million. The Tigers generated $15.9 million in ticket sales during their 10-win 2024 season. However, football postseason revenue fell by $1.9 million after the team moved from a New Year’s Six bowl game to the Holiday Bowl.

Revenue increased to $181 million, while expenses totaled $191 million. This comes after MU reported bringing in $168 million in 2023-24 and spending $183 million. But, for the second year in a row the athletic department received $25.7 million in direct support from the university. In 2024, that total marked the eighth-highest amount of institutional support in the country.

MU Athletic Director Laird Veatch believes the investment into the athletic department is worth it for the University. 

“I think the evidence of that is that you can see that our Board of Curators, the leadership of our institution, have really analyzed that,” Veatch told ABC 17 News. “So, if you think back when I first got hired, there was a lot of talk about this athletics committee that was formed on the board; and a lot of that was for them to be able to do a real deep dive into the financial impacts of college athletics, and particularly at Mizzou, and recognize that those ripple effects are real.”

During a Thursday faculty council meeting, University of Missouri System President Mun Choi called the figure a “friendly loan” that is expected to be paid back over time. However, given the uncertain landscape of college athletics, paying that back could be easier said than done. 

“We’re in a pretty dramatic environment right now with NIL [name, image and likeness] support and what is required for us to be successful, competitively. So our focus really right now is sort of stabilizing some of that and increasing our revenues, decreasing other operating expenses  and getting us back to more of a stable position,” Veatch said. “In the near term, it’s hard to see a time frame when that’s not going to be necessary for us to be successful at this level. But over the long term, that’s one of our goals, is how do we start to identify and work towards a more sustainable path.” 

Veatch said he was proud the athletics department generated record revenue while working to reduce spending in areas unrelated to student-athlete compensation. The athletic department was able to shrink its negative operating balance by nearly $6 million. 

Thursday’s meeting, Choi said, university presidents nationwide have discussed the possibility of using private equity to help offset the cost of athletics. He emphasized, however, that the University of Missouri is not at that point, noting such a move would require giving up control.

Records obtained by ABC 17 News show the football team once again led the way in ticket sales for the school. Of the $23.3 million worth of tickets sold, the football team accounted for $15.9 million, a steady increase from the $13 million sold in 2023-24.  

Despite rising sales, Mizzou still ranks near the bottom of the SEC conference in total revenue. In 2024, the Tigers had the third-lowest total revenue in the conference, trailing the SEC average by $41 million. Texas led the way with $332 million in 2024, while Mississippi State finished last at $127 million.

Veatch said the renovation to the football stadium could help generate revenue in the long term, but it will take some time before the athletic department begins to reap the benefits of the project. 

The stadium still needs to be paid off. The university set a goal of $125 million in philanthropic support to fund the project. According to Veatch, it has surpassed $100 million in donations, but “still need to close the gap on that last piece.” 

“If we’re able to continue to sell at the rate we are, and it’s going really well. We surpassed, I think, the 70%  mark of inventory that’s sold over there in that north end. So all that’s projecting really well, but it takes a while for that to get to a positive cash balance, right? I mean, it’s going to take some years of paying back some of the expenses to build it,” Veatch said. “But long term, it definitely raises our ceiling in terms of what we can generate from our football stadium, the football program, which is a big, big step for us over the long term.” 

The men’s basketball team’s NCAA tournament appearance also helped boost ticket revenue, which rose from $4.7 million to $5.8 million.

Softball led all women’s sports in ticket sales at $236,399, up from $139,390 during the 2023–24 season, which included a postseason regional tournament. Women’s basketball ranked second among women’s sports, generating $178,379 in ticket sales.

Coaching salaries and benefits continue to rise, making up one of the largest expenses for the athletic department. After spending $30.7 million the previous year, the athletic department spent $32.9 million in 2024-25 and an additional $31.9 million on staff salaries. 

Veatch said one of his biggest challenges is remaining competitive in the SEC, which requires spending to recruit top talent while maintaining fiscal responsibility. As the landscape of college athletics has evolved, so has his role as athletic director.

“It seems like every year the bar continues to rise in terms of what it takes to be successful.  Fortunately, we’re at a place and an  institution that has had some resources, has passionate fans that care, and we’re in a position to do that and be competitive. But it’s changing dramatically. My role has changed,” Veatch said. “We continue to see record viewership, record attendance, the impact of being successful within the SEC, and our sports as a ripple effect that’s pretty dramatic with our economy and enrollment, and other things. So it’s important that we keep investing.” 

In addition to ticket sales, the athletics department reported increases in contributions, media rights and game-day revenue from concessions, merchandise, and parking. Contributions rose by $9.1 million, a figure that includes name, image, and likeness support.

Media rights revenue increased by $6.1 million, driven by the first year of a new ESPN media rights agreement and the expanded College Football Playoff format in 2024–25. Higher ticket sales also contributed to a $1.1 million increase in game-day revenue.

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Euphenie Andre

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A winter storm warning in Mid-Missouri remains in effect through 6 p.m. Sunday.

The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team is showing intense cold begins on Friday, while snow can accumulate throughout the area. Roughly 8 inches of snow could fall in Columbia on Saturday, with more snow expected in the southern region of our viewing area. The impending weather led to Gov. Mike Kehoe to call a state of emergency as a precaution.

Public works departments in Columbia, Jefferson City, Audrain County, and California said they are ready for the snow and frigid conditions.

Columbia

In the days leading up to a winter storm, Columbia crews inspect trucks and equipment to ensure they’re ready for deployment, according to spokesman John Ogan.

Crews check critical systems like hydraulics, plow blades, lights and fluids, since keeping trucks in service is essential to treating roads and supporting emergency response.

During winter events, plow crews typically work 12-hour shifts to maintain continuous coverage for as long as conditions require. Staffing plans remain flexible and may change as the forecast and road conditions evolve.

According to Ogan, the department is operating with 35 snowplow-capable vehicles, including 14 tandem axle trucks, four single axle trucks, 12 one-ton trucks and five class five trucks.

The City’s salt dome currently holds about 4,500 tons of salt after deliveries made last month and earlier this month. Officials say that supply is expected to be sufficient for the remainder of the winter season.

“Road salt is generally effective down to around 15 degrees,” Ogan said. “When temperatures drop into the single digits, salt becomes much less effective, and plowing snow from the roadway is often the most effective treatment. Crews adjust strategies based on pavement temperatures and conditions to use materials where they will provide the most benefit.”

Jefferson City

Jefferson City Public Works will have a 30-person crew on call throughout the weekend. According to city spokeswoman Molly Bryan, preparations began earlier this week to ensure all plows, equipment and vehicles are ready.

Crew members will be staying overnight on Saturday, covering 25 snow routes that span more than 200 miles of roads.

“We are absolutely prepared with enough salts to be able to take care this weekend,” Bryan said. “But once again, salt isn’t going to be effective like you’ve seen in other snow melts it really works the best the closer the temperature is to freezing. When it drops as low as it’s projected to, it’s really just there for traction.”

The department is coordinating with Jefferson City Flying Service to monitor flight arrivals and departures at Jefferson City Memorial Airport, ensuring the runway remains clear for passengers since it cannot be salted, according to Bryan.

Bryan encourages drivers to avoid the roads unless travel is necessary.

“The city is prepared and committed to working though the weekend to try to make things as safe as possible for people to travel if they need to but we encourage people to stay home if they are able to,” Bryan said.

Cole County

Cole County Public Works shared on social media that crews will be fully staffed for most of the storm and will be deployed as needed throughout the weekend.

The department similarly warned that road treatments may be ineffective due to extremely cold temperatures.

“Paved roads will have priority over gravel roads.” the department stated in a press release. It takes approximately four hours for some of our trucks to make it through their snow route. Once it quits snowing and we have paved roads passable, then we will start on gravel roads.”

Public Works will operate 23 snow routes and plans to use a range of equipment.

Audrian County

Audrain County Emergency Management worked with local agencies Thursday to prepare for the incoming winter weather.

“We are working with out municipalities right now, staging, winter equipment and snow removal equipment. We’ve provided a location that’s a little more centrally located so that we don’t have to do a lot of running around,” said Carl Donaldson, Director for Emergency Management for Audrian County.

Donaldson said the county and the City of Mexico are fully staffed, but smaller towns like Rush Hill, Benton City, Martinsburg and Laddonia may not have full crews available this weekend.

Community R-6 High School will not be in session Friday due to extreme temperatures. Instead, students will have an Alternate Methods of Instruction Day.

Emergency management officials are also working with the Red Cross in case extended sheltering is needed.

“In the case of an extended power interruption or other disaster related incident and for all those updates, residents can follow our Facebook page,” Donaldson said.

California

Victor Maurer, Street Superintendent for the City of California, said the department is following its normal storm procedures ahead of this weekend’s weather.

“We’ve got our trucks ready — sand beds in the back and plows on the front,” Maurer said.

Four workers will be on call, with three additional staff members on standby from the parks department if needed. Crews will use a sand and salt mixture to treat the roads, with Maurer noting the sand helps provide extra traction for vehicles.

The department said it has “more than enough” salt on hand for the storm.

In total, the city has three dump trucks with beds, an F-550 with a dump and cinder bed, and a wheel loader. All vehicles are equipped with plows.

Moberly

On Dec. 1, Moberly said they used 250 tons of a salt and sand mix to treat the roads from the snow storm that weekend.

Scott McGarvey with the City of Moberly said the city was never close to running out of material.

“We can house up to 600 tons of mixed product onsite in preparation for snow operations.” he said. “We were fully stocked the week after that event in December.”

The City has standing orders for raw materials from the Hutchinson, Kansas salt mine and the Missouri River sand plant, which are filled as needed throughout the winter season.

Thee city said the materials used this weekend will be restocked next week.

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