Chancellor Mike Haynie and athletic director Bryan Blair say Syracuse’s biggest challenge is raising funds beyond the $21 million it pays athletes through revenue sharing. Figures cited for competitive football and men’s basketball rosters alone are $50 million to $60 million.
The interview with Syracuse.com’s Brent Axe offered few day-to-day details. Haynie and Blair see Syracuse’s status as New York’s only Power Four program as a selling point to boosters, companies seeking partnerships and potential conferences. Blair said game-day options should serve different fans, including those attending mainly for social interaction.
Blair has overhauled the athletic department, and the article notes that a new chief operating officer has been hired. The article’s author speculated Syracuse could pursue neutral-site games or corporate partnerships to raise money, but the interview did not present those as confirmed plans.
