Super regional expenses prove Mississippi State’s investment, belief in softball
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State fans got a look at something new last weekend: a nationally relevant softball program.
MSU, after upsetting No. 2 Florida State in regional play, returned to Starkville to host its first super regional. Despite losing in two games against Arizona, MSU saw what it takes to build an elite program.
Record-breaking crowds came to Nusz Park to watch the likes of catcher Mia Davidson and coach Samantha Ricketts after years of building Mississippi State to this stage, and they received a plethora of praise regardless of the outcome.
But a program’s rise also comes with financial commitment.
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Tickets first made available to Bulldog Club members sold out within minutes, forcing MSU to invent new ways to increase capacity. Outfield decks were built within a week, along with portable bathrooms and video boards for fans with an obstructed view.
It helped draw the largest crowds (2,209 and 2,299) for a college softball game in Mississippi.
But Mississippi State still lost about $50-60,000 by hosting – an approximation provided by chief financial officer Eric George.
MSU generated about $45,000 in ticket sales. Approximately $20-25,000 goes toward typical hosting expenses – which is considered a reimbursable expense by the NCAA.
From the remaining money, 85% goes to the NCAA.
Any tickets MSU provides to coaches and players, it pays for. That leaves about $4,000. However, the extra steps MSU took to enhance crowd experience and increase crowd size were costly.
George estimates that, had MSU not added various amenities, it could have broke even.
“We wanted to make sure that we created an atmosphere that would give our team the best chance to win and get the fans there and allow them to have a good time,” George said. “We took on some dramatic costs there to make sure it was a first-class experience.”
George estimates about $11,000 made from concessions, which excludes the alcohol sales. Those go to the NCAA.
When baseball hosts postseason play, expenses are limited because of infrastructure already in place at Dudy Noble Field. Between hosting a regional and super regional last season, MSU made $1.4 million in gross revenue.
After reimbursable expenses, the NCAA’s 85% and MSU purchasing tickets, the athletic department made about $88,000, George says.
Mississippi State is beginning construction in June on a $7 million indoor softball facility. No plans for increasing capacity at Nusz Park, which was unveiled in 2016, have been announced.
Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @skrajisnik3.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: What it cost Mississippi State to host NCAA softball super regional
