Huntsman Center Deficit Tops $765K, Costs Rise
The University of Utah is subsidizing the 57-year-old arena's losses as athletics seeks private equity to rebuild revenue.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Basketball
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The University of Utah reported a $765,859 deficit for the Jon M. Huntsman Center in the past fiscal year, which the school has since paid off by transferring funds from other operations. The university now projects the arena to run a deficit of over $1 million this fiscal year.
Why it matters
Conference changes and the House v. NCAA settlement created an eligible $20.5 million salary pool for student-athletes at any school, pressuring athletics budgets across the country. The university has formed a private equity partnership with Otro Capital to revitalize revenue for Utah Athletics.
The Huntsman Center, which seats roughly 15,000 and averages 7,000 fans per men's basketball game, reported a $765,859 loss last year and is projected to exceed $1 million in deficit this year. Rice-Eccles Stadium, by comparison, brought in $105,913 last fiscal year and is projected to run a $97,310 deficit this year.
The players
University of Utah
The public research university in Salt Lake City owns and operates the Jon M. Huntsman Center and is subsidizing its losses while pursuing a private equity partnership to rebuild athletics revenue.
Otro Capital
A private equity firm that formed a partnership with the University of Utah to revitalize revenue for Utah Athletics.
Crimson Brand Partners
A spinoff company formed through the university's private equity partnership that will take over commercial sports events, ticketing, concessions, licensing and branding on campus.
The details
Crimson Brand Partners, a spinoff formed through the university's private equity partnership with Otro Capital, will take over commercial sports events on campus, including ticketing, concessions, licensing and branding. The University of Utah will still own and manage the Huntsman Center under the arrangement.
Timeline
Past fiscal year: Huntsman Center reported a $765,859 loss, since paid off.
Earlier this year: Renovation talk reversed as McArthur presented fiscal 2027 projections.
This fiscal year: Huntsman Center projected to reach a deficit of over $1 million.
Fiscal 2027: Athletics projected to run an $11 million deficit.
This year: Renovation plans not yet ready for Board of Higher Education approval.
Season Trajectory
The House v. NCAA settlement and conference changes have reshaped athletics budgets, and the University of Utah's Huntsman Center losses reflect those pressures on programs nationwide. The school's turn to private equity signals how revenue strategies are shifting to keep pace with those costs.
The projected deficits could affect the programs and events staged at the Huntsman Center, which draws roughly 7,000 fans per men's basketball game. Renovation plans remain pending, so the arena's future facilities and game-day experience are still uncertain.
The takeaway
Athletics budgets across the country are being reshaped by new revenue pressures, and venues like the Huntsman Center show how quickly operating losses can grow without new income sources.
What happens next
The University of Utah's Board of Higher Education is expected to consider renovation plans, which are not yet ready for approval this year.
Further reading
For more on the arena and its men's basketball program, see Basketball coverage across the Salt Lake City area.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Salt Lake Tribune.
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