FHSAA receives more than $450K in coronavirus relief

The Florida High School Athletic Association received a Paycheck Protection Program loan from the federal government in May, according to public records.

On May 7, the FHSAA received $452,300 from the federal program, which was part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and is designed to help companies keep people employed during the coronavirus pandemic.

The FHSAA had no comment on receiving the loan.

In its application for a loan, the FHSAA reported 25 employees and an average monthly payroll of $180,920. Companies are permitted to apply for loans that equal 2 1⁄2 times their monthly payroll costs.

At its Board of Directors meeting June 9, the FHSAA reported losing $300,000 because it was unable to hold its spring state championships and spring football classics, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

Revenue for fall and winter playoffs were down as well, but profits rose by $41,000.

The FHSAA is a governing nonprofit organization, according to Florida Statute 1006.20. It does not receive any direct tax funding, state revenue or other federal funding, according to the FHSAA website.

In the 2018-19 fiscal year, the FHSAA made $6,067,853 in revenue, according to the FHSAA website. Corporate sponsors made 38% of that revenue, with the state playoffs and championship games making up 36%.

The FHSAA reported $6,213,143 in expenditures for the 2018-19 fiscal year.

The FHSAA faced criticism around the state for the Board of Directors’ Monday night vote to maintain the athletic calendar as it is despite the coronavirus pandemic. Although the FHSAA kept July 27 as the start date for fall practices, many districts around the state — including Broward County — had pushed their start dates back.

The FHSAA Board of Directors held another meeting Thursday night, and this time voted to also delay the start of practices.