The Joe Pomp Show Private Equity Comes To College Sports: Inside Utah’s Groundbreaking Deal
Dec 15, 2025
Explore how the University of Utah's groundbreaking partnership with Otro Capital could transform college sports' financial landscape. Delve into the struggles of athletic departments facing significant deficits and the challenges that past private equity proposals encountered. Discover Utah's innovative for-profit model and its potential to enhance revenue streams through professional practices in ticketing and sponsorships. With insights on operational control and the expertise of Otro Capital's founders, this discussion offers a fresh perspective on the future of college athletics.
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New For-Profit Sports Entity
- The University of Utah created a for-profit called Utah Brands and Entertainment to house revenue-generating assets.
- The entity will control ticketing, sponsorships, licensing, merchandise, hospitality, and trademarks.
Athletic Departments Under Financial Strain
- Athletic departments nationwide face historic deficits from recent legal and policy changes.
- The House v. NCAA settlement, revenue sharing, and scholarship changes sharply raised expenses without matching revenue.
Settlement Shifts Costs To Schools
- The House v. NCAA settlement awarded $2.8B in back damages and shifts major costs to schools.
- Schools must also pay into a separate fund, e.g., Utah owes $1M annually for ten years.