Here is my shot at making something complicated, less so. I'm not involved or an expert in this area, just a process nerd.
ISU is a non-profit, so largely you have to spend what you make (ie. no profit).
In 2024 the budget was balanced (top row). Money comes into the Ath. Dept. from the left and goes out to the right.
In 2025, you had this 20.5million expense (money to spend) that you never had before ('Ath. Rev Share' in Green) which has been allocated a specific way to the major sports (Pollard's control). You need to figure out how to raise money to offset it every year into the future. ISU said we will dip into the Ath. Dept. Savings (Red) to cover the gap short-term. Long Term, how does the Ath. Dept raise money or borrow from other areas (university, board of regents, etc) to fund the 'Red Box'? A problem Pollard and team are trying to solve.
Other universities promising more than 30m a year to football only, are counting on NILGO to account for the remaining amount above what the university is willing/able to contribute (20 million per year max currently for all sports) . This is where Pollard is saying he has no control over how other companies (Hyvee's and Fareway's of the world) choose to spend advertising dollars with athletes within ISU.
I think the grey area for universities right now is that 'Yellow' box. Those are handled outside of the Ath. Dept. budget but are just monitored by someone within the Ath. Dept, so they can see how much players are getting and ensuring it is being done per the university standards. Though, how can universities 'promise' to coaches they will get this much when they technically aren't the ones providing it?
Just trying to provide a little clarity to a complex topic.
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