November 2025
Collegiate Consulting Study Finds Central Michigan Athletics Delivers $171M Annual Impact
| A new study by Collegiate Consulting shows that Central Michigan University’s athletics program generates an average annual economic impact of $171 million, with a total of $513 million between FY2022 and FY2025.
The report highlights more than $285 million in media exposure value from broadcasts, streaming, and social media, as well as $50 million from game-day events, camps, and special events hosted at athletic facilities. Student-athletes, staff, and external revenue streams contributed another $178 million in direct and indirect impact, reinforcing CMU Athletics’ role as both an institutional and community asset. “Central Michigan Athletics is not only a cornerstone of the University’s identity but also a powerful contributor to the economic and cultural vitality of Mount Pleasant and the central Michigan region,” said Russell Wright, Founder & Managing Director of Collegiate Consulting. “This study quantifies the measurable value CMU Athletics provides and highlights why continued investment in athletics is essential to both the institution’s success and the community’s future prosperity.” |
Northern Michigan Retains Collegiate Consulting to Assist in Football Head Coach Search
| Northern Michigan University has retained Collegiate Consulting to assist in its Football Head Coach search. Collegiate Consulting will begin the process immediately, posting the job description across multiple platforms and reaching out to potential candidates with demonstrated interest and experience.
Collegiate Consulting and Northern Michigan University acknowledge the on-going seasons of multiple programs and encourage all interested candidates to apply. Interested candidates can view the job description here. The posting includes detailed information about the position and application process. The job will remain open until the position is filled and is expected to conclude within the next 30-days. Collegiate Consulting and Northern Michigan University recognizes the fluidity of current coaching obligations and will make flexible changes to the timeframe as needed to ensure confidentiality is maintained. Candidates may contact Clay Dawes at cdawes@collegiateconsulting.com to submit their Resume and Cover Letter. References can also be submitted, and may be requested at a later date. |
Quick Bytes
- Data shows sports-betting harassment of student-athletes remains significant
- Players Era to go to 32 in 2026 with potential to drastically change November basketball; Big 12 to acquire a 15% stake
- Two-thirds of DI members vote to rescind pro sports betting rule change
- How mid-majors spend House settlement money detailed
- Institutional spending – coaching salaries, facilities excess & donor-fueled escalation – questioned
- College Sports Commission’s participation agreement requires schools to waive right to sue
- DIII Academic Success Rate remains at all-time high of 88%
- IWLCA releases white paper on future of women’s lacrosse
- U.S. District judge overrules objections from 2025-26 House settlement class members to injunctive relief portion
- Swarthmore requiring all student-athletes to sign a Transgender Policy Acknowledgement Form
- Class action lawsuit brought by volunteer coaches will cost $303M over three years
- Undergraduate enrollment on track to rise 2.4% YoY this fall
What's the Word?
While November usually conjures up warm references to Thanksgiving and football, this past month featured an event that has long been intertwined with collegiate athletics – political elections. From Congress passing Title IX as part of the Education Amendments of 1972 to the 2023 launch of the Collegiate Sports Caucus to the anticipated SCORE Act, the legislative branch has guided college sports and set precedents for key growth and change… oftentimes financially. Even NCAA President Charlie Baker recently sent a letter to the legislative branch members asking for college athlete eligibility protection.
President Trump has called for “very powerful caps” to limit student-athlete compensation so that athletic programs can maintain what he rightfully deemed “a business.” Roughly 41 Olympic sports programs have been cut across NCAA Division I, affecting at least 1,000 student-athletes after the settlement was announced by the NCAA in May 2024, said Sam Seemes, CEO of the US Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) is the co-author of the College Athletes Bill of Rights, groundbreaking legislation that will change the landscape of college sports and protect and expand the rights of college athletes. In July 2025, Booker stated that the SCORE Act “poses a serious threat” to the historic gains made by college athletes, citing its shortcomings in protecting athletes and creating a fair system. In contrast, Florida Congressman Gus Bilirakis said “College athletics are a vital part of American culture, and it’s clear – from both student-athletes and universities – that a national framework is long overdue. The Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act delivers the stability, clarity, and transparency that stakeholders have been calling for.”
With a vote scheduled for early December on the SCORE Act, we are reminded just how impactful November elections are to Collegiate athletics.
Understand the Extent of Athletics Impact on Your Community
With financial predictions looking dour for the higher education sector, colleges and universities are searching for insight into the worth of their programs, especially athletics. Collegiate Consulting’s Economic Valuation Studies help institutions maximize both academic and athletic impact. These studies not only offer assessment of basic budgetary items, but also intangibles such as potential value and areas for development. Athletic Departments can now see an overall portrait of their worth and how it affects their university budgets and city and state’s economies.
Our studies use conservative estimates and industry-standard economic models, including advertising value equivalency (AVE) and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis’ RIMS II multiplier, to determine both direct and indirect impact. They often account for student-athlete volunteerism and other intangibles.
In addition to financial data, reports highlight strength of a program’s national exposure. This includes television and other traditional media, along with social media reach.
As we continue to partner with institutions of varying size and conference competition level, we are excited to explore opportunities for each new and existing clients. There are several moving pieces to research that gives our university partners an expanded perspective for potential excellence.
We thrive on connection with our college athletic community and we seek to champion their notable actions and achievements.
Please follow us so we can celebrate and elevate each other together.
