Memphis AD: More capacity reductions could lead to further cuts
Memphis athletic director Laird Veatch, in an open letter published Friday, said he is “concerned” that increased social distancing requirements “could be on the horizon.”
If those concerns are realized, he added it would further impact ticket sales at Liberty Bowl Memorial
Stadium, as well as Tiger
Scholarship Fund donations, for the 2020 football season – both of which would lead to another round of cuts that “could have severe and potentially longterm impacts on our people and programs.” Earlier this month, Memphis announced $4.4 million in “proactive” budget cuts.
“In the coming weeks, if not days, we will have clear guidance on how fan participation will be impacted at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium,” Veatch's letter reads. “As we have stated previously, our goal remains to seat all fans that purchased their season tickets by the June 30 seating deadline and our current budget is based on those resources remaining stable. We have been developing contingency plans, and if that goal becomes unattainable for any number of potential reasons, we will communicate our adjusted plan with you as soon as possible. Clear options for your consideration will be outlined, and we ask for your patience until those options are announced to consider what the impacts are for you and our program.”
The coronavirus pandemic has impacted the college football schedule across the country. Memphis' Sept. 12 road game at Purdue has already been canceled.
“We seek to have competitions as soon as we can safely do so,” Veatch wrote.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.