Harlan says Utah is well-positioned for future growth, even if athletes earn some of the revenue sooner rather than later

As Mark Harlan addressed a crowd at Big 12 Media Day, he couldn’t help but point out that he was standing in the same spot in the end zone where former Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd did after defeating Oregon quarterback Anthony Brown in Allegiant. Scored a touchdown. Stadium.

It was an iconic moment in Utah’s history, and one that cemented the program’s imprint within the conference as the Utes claimed back-to-back Pac-12 titles for the first time.

A few years later, Harlan was standing in the same spot but speaking about the future of his athletic department in the Big 12. This is the nature of the ever-evolving college landscape.

But when he talked about several items related to the Utes, he made it clear that Utah was “all in.” The university isn’t planning on backing off or doing anything, but instead trying to grow the brand and reach for all the athletes who call Utah home.

Even though the NCAA has agreed to a deal that will soon allow athletic departments to pay collegiate athletes, Harlan remains optimistic about the future.

“We are not cutting funding to the University of Utah,” Harlan said matter-of-factly. “We’re all in. We have a president that’s all in, we have a board of trustees that’s all in, and we have a fan base that has proven time and again that they’re all in.”

Harlan said the university will make a “full distribution” to athletes at Utah, amounting to approximately $20 million in the first season – or about 45% of the athletic department’s current revenue. But Harlan stressed that it is “wonderful” and “remarkable,” and that the university will continue to provide other avenues through the NIL to help make Utah a desirable destination.

And since college football dictates most of the conversation around funding, Harlan said Olympic sports would do nothing but “move the way” for the university.

“If you look at women’s sports in Utah, I look at what gymnastics has done for this program, what our female skiers have done for this program, certainly our women’s basketball team — I could go on, ” He said. “So we’re not going to allow anyone to sit back; that’s why I’m not in this business, or coach in this business.”

But conversations will continue about how the university moves forward, including conversations about whether it is beneficial to bring the Crimson Collective in-house to help fill the void.

Utah also has opened a position for a chief revenue officer, or someone who will “think about revenue generation in new ways” on a daily basis, Harlan said. The Big 12, too, which is potentially looking at private equity investment and various corporate sponsorships in different ways — such as patches on jerseys — will add to that equation.

Whether it’s private equity or some other means, Harlan said Utah (and the conference) will have to “look at everything.”

“I think you can’t dismiss something just because you have a feeling about it, or you read something about it. … I think we need to look at every possibility, ” Harlan said. “That doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do, but if you don’t pay attention to these things you are dereliction of duty.”

Although there may be outside avenues to help bring in more revenue, Harlan said it’s important to continue what Utah already has and has done well. He said he is “really sensitive about Rice-Eccles” and wants to hold games at a venue that has been extremely important to Utah’s success in football.

Utah had scheduled a one-sided matchup with Miami in Las Vegas in a neutral site non-conference game, but Harlan wants the teams to visit Rice-Eccles Stadium.

“We’ve had moments in this stadium that will be forever recorded in the history of our university, so it’s been great,” Harlan said. “We’ve had great success here.”

But at the same time, he believes the stadium needs continued upgrades to remain a place the university can be proud to call home. The expansion and renovation of the south end zone was a part of what he sees as future development at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

“I’m really proud of the work we’ve done at Rice Eccles Stadium, but we’re a long way from where I want us to be, and that’s because of its continued modernization,” Harlan told KSL.com. ” “We have to work on video boards in the north, we have to work on connectivity, we have to work on narrow routes – we are challenged by that, especially in the north because of the tracks.

“Those are problems, but the good news is that there are some great people on the president’s staff, some incredible people in facilities, who are coming back with creative concepts that we can continue to move forward. It’s still an incredible The atmosphere was, and it still is, I think, one of the best places to watch a football game. We won’t rest on it.”

Additionally, Harlan has spoken with Utah Jazz and Utah Hockey Club owner Ryan Smith about his plans to revitalize parts of downtown Salt Lake City. Any development downtown will benefit the University of Utah, Harlan said.

“It’s all good for the city. It’s all good for the state,” Harlan said. “My conversations with Ryan have been productive, they’ve been helpful. He’s a wonderful, charming guy. His family, they’re great people. He also loves our program. I don’t know if I should have kicked him out right now. Granted that, but I think anyone who takes an interest in college athletics, I support it.

“I just appreciate the fact that they’re doing it,” he said. “But I think what’s happening downtown is only going to elevate Utah. I mean, I bet you that in 10 years, we’ll have dorms there, we’ll have a ton of stuff there. We There’s already a lot of attendance, so I think whatever happens in town is good for the Utes.”