How can the University afford to pay high salaries to football and basketball coaches in Knoxville?
The athletics department at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, receives no state funding, and its budget is separate from the academic budget. No tax dollars are involved in the UT Knoxville athletics budget. The athletics department operates in a highly competitive environment and makes decisions in consideration of competition at the highest levels while maintaining profitability. The athletics department demonstrates its support of the University and the community through a variety of ways. Last year, the athletics program contributed more than $26.4 million to the University. For instance, athletics gave $1.4 million for scholarships for non-athletes and $1.1 million in debt service to parking garages on campus. In addition, athletics spent $7.5 million on scholarships for student-athletes and $9.2 million on facilities and utilities. Over the next 15 years, athletics has committed to providing $1 million each year from the Southeastern Conference television contract to the UT
