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Iowa discontinuing 4 athletic programs due to financial hardships caused by COVID-19
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The University of Iowa has announced that it will no longer be sponsoring four sports programs: men’s gymnastics, men’s swimming and diving, women’s swimming and diving and men’s tennis. The school released a statement on Friday.
Iowa now has 20 sponsored athletic programs within the department.
“The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a financial exigency which threatens our continued ability to adequately support 24 intercollegiate athletics programs at the desired championship level,” president Bruce Harreld and athletic director Gary Barta said in a joint statement. “With the B1G Conference’s postponement of fall competition on August 11, UI Athletics now projects lost revenue of approximately $100M and an overall deficit between $60-$75M this fiscal year. A loss of this magnitude will take years to overcome. We have a plan to recover, but the journey will be challenging.”
Iowa announced that the four sports being cut will still have an opportunity to compete in the 2020-21 season, should the circumstances allow it as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic. All existing scholarships will be honored through graduation.
Coaches affected will also have their contracts honored.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB