OSSAA seeks ways to overcome shortfall

The OSSAA reported football revenue was down $162,000 from 2017

Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association executive director David Jackson was taken aback by the numbers. $162,000 and $95,000. “We didn't realize it would be as much,” Jackson said.

But those aren't positive numbers. Following a high school football postseason riddled with poor weather, the OSSAA's football revenue was roughly $162,000 less than 2017, with roughly $95,000 coming from the subtraction of one playoff round in Class 3A.

Football revenue has fallen short before. It didn't sound the alarm then and it won't now, but there is fear this could become a trend.

The OSSAA has not considered cutbacks in other areas.

“The only thing we can do right now is try to enhance the attendance,” Jackson said. “That's going to be tough because attendance on a national basis for high school activities is on a decline.

“We're very concerned. We still think we have the best product around and we want people to come out to our activities. We maybe just have to do a better job in promoting all the good things about high school and high school activities.”

Jackson said he expected a hit from coaches voting to restructure Class 3A to 32 teams, moving to a four-round playoff system instead of five. The loss of that one round was rougher than expected.

Poor weather then hit in Round 1. It was primarily bitterly cold, enough to keep fans at home. In the first week of championships, severe weather delayed nearly every game across the state.