Purdue University’s athletic department is entering a new era under the college athletics revenue-sharing model, with a cap of $20.5 million for the 2025–26 academic year. Here’s how the funds are being allocated:
What We Know
- Top priorities: The lion’s share of funds has been earmarked for football, men’s basketball, followed by women’s basketball and volleyball.
- Funding for non-revenue sports: Approximately $300,000 has been set aside for elite athlete retention and recruitment in non-revenue programs. Coaches in these sports can request additional support on a case-by-case basis.
- Alston support payments: To reward academic achievement, Purdue has reserved $1.165 million under the Alston payments system—these are capped at around $5,980 per student athlete per year. This amount is taken out of the $20.5M cap and may not be a permanent arrangement.
- Cap increase ahead: Good news for future flexibility—this cap will rise to $21.3 million on July 1, 2026.
Why It Matters
- Strategic focus: Prioritizing football and men’s basketball aligns with the revenue these programs generate—but Purdue is placing more emphasis on basketball than the roughly 75% norm seen at other schools.
- Support for all sports: Though the majority goes to revenue-generators, the $300K and Alston pool signal that non-revenue sports won’t be left behind, preserving scholarship opportunities and academic incentives.
- Room to grow: With the cap scheduled to increase next year, Purdue will have more room to invest across its athletic portfolio over time.
Final Thoughts
Purdue is balancing expectations from power football and basketball programs with a commitment to broader athletic development and scholastic support. As the revenue-sharing model evolves, schools like Purdue will be watched closely to see how they invest this new revenue stream.
