Arkansas Edge unveils program to raise money for Razorback athletes

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansas Edge, the name, image, and likeness (NIL) group for the Arkansas Razorbacks, has launched the Spare Change Round Up program, allowing people to round up their purchases to support Razorback student-athletes, according to a Friday (Oct. 18) news release.

Those who enroll can link their debit cards, credit cards or checking accounts to automatically contribute spare change from their purchases to NIL initiatives.

“Fans have expressed a desire for a way to round up purchases to support NIL opportunities, and we’re excited to introduce the Spare Change Round Up program,” said Kyle May, executive director of Arkansas Edge. “This scalable and effortless approach allows fans to participate easily and choose how much they want to contribute without needing individual programs with each merchant and regardless of where they bank or live.”

Arkansas Edge unveils program to raise money for Razorback athletes

Razorback athletics revenue up nearly 10% in FY2023 to $167.3M

by Paul Gatling (pgatling@nwabj.com)

The University of Arkansas athletics department set a record in operating revenue in the 2023 fiscal year by generating $167.3 million.

The UA reported $166.5 million in athletic department expenses — also an all-time high — for an operating surplus of less than $1 million.

The figures are from the university’s annual financial report to the NCAA. Fort Smith-based Landmark PLC conducts the annual audit. The 2023 fiscal year began July 1, 2022, and ended June 30, 2023.

The athletics department’s revenues continue a rapid climb. The UA reported $152.51 million in revenue in FY 2022, and $132.2 in FY 2021 revenue. Expenses are also skyrocketing. In the past two fiscal years, the department’s spending totaled $144.3 million (FY 2022) and $111.5 million (FY 2021).

Razorback athletics revenue up nearly 10% in FY2023 to $167.3M

UA announces Arkansas Edge, an NIL collective for Razorback athletes

by Paul Gatling (pgatling@nwabj.com)

On Tuesday (Nov. 28), University of Arkansas athletics director Hunter Yurachek announced details of a new name, image and likeness (NIL) collective for Razorback athletes called Arkansas Edge.

“As we continue to strategically position our programs to compete and win championships within the SEC and nationally, Arkansas Edge is the optimum way for Razorback fans to support our student-athletes through NIL,” Yurachek said in a UA news release.

Since the implementation of the new NCAA NIL guidelines on July 1, 2021, there has been a surge in the establishment of NIL collectives, especially within Power 5 schools. The collectives provide a platform for boosters and fans to engage with athletes through NIL deals, pooling resources and creating user-friendly marketplaces.

UA announces Arkansas Edge, an NIL collective for Razorback athletes

UA athletics breaks even in fiscal 2023

by Paul Gatling (pgatling@nwabj.com)

One year after posting a $6.27 million profit, the University of Arkansas athletics department broke even for the fiscal year 2023 (July 1, 2022–June 30, 2023).

The figures are in the university’s annual Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA) survey. Arkansas, and every other intercollegiate athletics department in the country, self-reports financial information detailing operating revenues and expenses to the U.S. Department of Education annually to comply with the EADA Act of 1994. The EADA requires disclosing information about varsity teams and the financial resources and personnel the school dedicates to those teams.

To read the university’s EADA report, click here for a PDF.

According to the survey, the athletics department’s revenue totaled $171.1 million, up 10.7% from $154.55 million in the previous fiscal year. Expenses were also $171.1 million, up 15.3% from $148.28 million last fiscal year.

UA athletics breaks even in fiscal 2023

Keith Stokes remembered as avid supporter of agriculture, for his willingness to serve others

By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture

DARDANELLE, Ark. — The first things you noticed about Keith Stokes were the kind eyes and smile that always shone below the broad brim of his cowboy hat.

And it was hard not to notice. Stokes seemed to be everywhere in Arkansas. He was at field days, groundbreakings and meetings of all sorts — any event where agriculture mattered. Stokes — a farmer, Razorback-mascot-keeper, and aide to Sen. Tom Cotton — passed away on Aug. 18. He was 59.

Keith Stokes, left, leaves a legacy of service to agriculture in Arkansas. Among the jobs closest to his heart was as the caretaker of the Razorback mascot, Tusk. Here, he stands with Kelly Robbins of Arkansas. Rice. The two were attending an event at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station headquarters in Fayetteville. Taken April 10, 2023. (U of A System Division of Agriculture file photo by Mary Hightower)

“With Keith, the thing that stuck with you was his willingness to serve any time you needed him,” said Deacue Fields, head of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “He was definitely someone you could depend on and he’d always follow through. And he was always willing to help and support the Division of Agriculture.”

Chuck Culver, director of external relations for the Division of Agriculture, remembered Stokes as a strong advocate not only for the agriculture industry, but also for its people.

“Keith made everyone feel like they were his best friend. He epitomized public service. And he especially loved being an ambassador for agriculture and the Razorbacks,” Culver said.

Cotton said that “our state, its farmers ranchers and foresters, and our Senate office had no better friend and champion than Keith Stokes.”

Sen. John Boozman said, “Cathy and I are heartbroken at the loss of Keith Stokes – Mr. Razorback, as I liked to call him. Humility, passion for agriculture, and dedication to serving U of A as the caretaker of Tusk all defined Keith's life and work, a true Arkansan. Our prayers are with all his loved ones.”

Services for Stokes were held Tuesday at the Dardanelle Community Center.

Read about how Stokes became the Tusk caretaker.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

Arkansas 9th in SEC athletics revenue in fiscal year 2022

by Paul Gatling (pgatling@nwabj.com)

The University of Alabama athletics department was the Southeastern Conference revenue king in fiscal year 2022.

The Crimson Tide’s revenue of $214.36 million in the 12 months from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022, ranked first among the league’s 13 public universities. $130.9 million of Alabama’s revenue, or 61%, came from the school’s football program.

The Northwest Arkansas Business Journal compiled the data through public records requests. The research does not include private schools that are not subject to public records laws. Vanderbilt University, a private school, is the only SEC school not included.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/02/arkansas-9th-in-sec-athletics-revenue-in-fiscal-year-2022/

Sticks Provide Strong Recruiting Base for Razorbacks

By: Dudley E. Dawson

Arkansas Sticks coach Chase Brewster has become one of the most influential baseball figures in the state. Chase is the son of Dave Brewster (aka Smokin Dave) of Gentry Chevrolet and Ed 88.

The top-ranked college baseball team in the country has been getting a lot of talent from one of the nation’s best summer baseball programs.

They just happen to be in the same state.

In six years there have been 40 members of the Arkansas Sticks Academy who have played or are pledged to the Razorbacks' baseball team.

That includes 16 members who will be playing this summer for the Sticks’ various teams.

“At one time last year, the whole entire starting (pitching) rotation were Sticks guys with (Connor) Noland, (Patrick) Wicklander and (Blake Adams)," said Chase Brewster, owner and coach of the Sticks.

“There’s been a lot of other good players — Matt Goodheart, Peyton Pallette and Cason Tollett — that have played for us, and even Christian Franklin, who played with us a weekend or two.”

Brewster is happy the organization has been able to act as an unofficial feeder program for the Razorbacks.

“It’s just been a really fortunate situation that we have been proud to be a part of,” Brewster said. “Like this summer we are going to be wearing the replica Razorback jerseys.

“The one thing that I do know is that the state of Arkansas loves the Razorbacks. Everybody is trying to play catch up with them and we are just trying to put together a team and have a product that the state is proud of just like the Razorbacks.

“We are glad to turn the TV on every Friday and be able to watch some Sticks alumni play on the SEC Network.”

Arkansas’ 2021 recruiting class is ranked third nationally by Perfect Game and includes former Sticks standouts Austin Ledbetter (Bryant), Braylon Bishop (Texarkana), Brandon Arledge (Sheridan), Max Soliz (Madison, Ala.), and Landrey Wilson (Van Buren/Crowder College).

https://www.wholehogsports.com/news/2021/may/27/sticks-provide-strong-recruiting-base-razorbacks/

COURTESY OF WHOLE HOG SPORTS

$20 Million Deal Keeps Razorback Basketball Coach Musselman in Fayetteville

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Eric Musselman, the most successful Arkansas Razorback basketball coach since Nolan Richardson, has signed a five-year $20 million deal with additional compensation and incentive payments available based on success in SEC and NCAA Tournaments.

The deal, which includes roughly $4 million in annual pay for Musselman, follows the Hogs first NCAA Tournament Elite Eight appearance in more than 25 years. The new agreement will run from May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2026 and includes the potential for a pair of one-year automatic agreement extensions (2027, 2028) based on Arkansas receiving bids to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament within the timeframe of the agreement.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/04/20-million-deal-keeps-musselman-in-fayetteville/

House Committee Advances Bill Allowing College Athletes To Make Money Off Publicity Rights

By SARAH KELLOGG / KUAR

A bill that would allow college-level student athletes in Arkansas to make money off of their name, voice, signature, photograph or likeness passed its first legislative hurdle this week. On Tuesday, the House Education Committee by a voice vote, with no dissenting votes heard, approved House Bill 1671, which would create the "Student-Athlete Publicity Rights Act."

https://www.kuaf.com/post/house-committee-advances-bill-allowing-college-athletes-make-money-publicity-rights

University of Arkansas Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek (left) and head football coach Sam Pittman both spoke in support of HB1671.

COURTESY / UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS