The University of Central Florida's athletics department has reached unprecedented financial heights, reporting record revenues and expenditures for the fiscal year 2025. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the institution's second year as a member of the prestigious Big 12 Conference. The substantial financial growth underscores the increasing prominence and investment in UCF's athletic programs.
UCF Athletics Achieves Financial Milestones Amidst Big 12 Transition
In a detailed financial disclosure released this month by The News-Journal, the University of Central Florida's athletics department announced remarkable revenue and expense figures for the fiscal year 2025. The department generated an impressive $108.89 million in revenue while incurring $103.62 million in expenses. This resulted in a reported surplus of $5.27 million, a figure attributed to accounting classifications rather than a direct operating profit, as clarified by a university representative. This financial performance significantly surpasses the previous year's figures, where UCF recorded $98.16 million in revenue and $97.45 million in expenses for 2024.
A major catalyst for this financial boom was an extraordinary surge in contributions, which soared by over 80% from $15.4 million in 2024 to $27.9 million in 2025. A substantial portion of these funds, specifically $23.8 million, was directly allocated to the UCF football program, including critical infrastructure projects like the Roth Tower construction. Terry Mohajir, UCF’s vice president and director of athletics, lauded the fundraising and ChargeOn Fund teams for their exceptional efforts in securing these contributions.
Further enhancing the department's financial standing, ticket sales revenue experienced a 9.6% increase, adding an additional $739,132. The university also benefited from an increase of nearly $2 million in distributions from the Big 12 Conference. UCF is poised to become a full-share member of the conference beginning with the 2026-27 season, promising even greater financial stability and resources.
The report also highlighted that nine of the school's fourteen scholarship teams operated with revenues exceeding their expenses. As anticipated, the football program emerged as the leading revenue generator, posting a profit of nearly $21.5 million. However, expenses also saw a notable rise, particularly in coaching salaries, which topped the list for the athletics department. Total coaching salaries, encompassing benefits and bonuses, reached $19.2 million, a 9% increase from the prior year. The football coaching staff alone, including the head coach and ten on-field assistants, collectively earned approximately $9.4 million. High-profile coaching salaries included Johnny Dawkins, the men’s basketball head coach, who earned over $2 million, and women’s basketball coach Sytia Messer, who received over $740,000. Additionally, UCF disbursed $328,532 in severance payments to former football staff members, including defensive coordinator Ted Roof, who was dismissed during the 2024 season.
The robust financial health of UCF's athletics department, particularly its football program, signals a new era of competitiveness and investment. This strong financial foundation allows the university to further enhance its athletic facilities, attract top coaching talent, and provide exceptional resources for its student-athletes, positioning UCF for sustained success within the demanding landscape of collegiate sports. This growth reflects not only shrewd financial management but also the increasing brand power and fan engagement spurred by its entry into a major conference.