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Athletics remains one of the greatest expenses on a university campus, and N.C. State is no different.
Read more What NC State AD Boo Corrigan said about the Wolfpack’s athletics budget
The Wolfpack spent roughly $144.6 million last fiscal year on its athletic-related expenses, according to documents provided to the Board of Trustees in February. At the time, Athletic Director Boo Corrigan said the department faced a $17.9 million deficit.
N.C. State Athletics finished Fiscal Year 2026 with a balanced budget, Corrigan said Friday at his annual preseason news conference. He credited the Wolfpack Club and executive director Ben Broussard, along with consrrvative budgeting, for closing the gap.
“Every year we spend a lot of time, effort and energy on getting to that balanced situation,” Corrigan said. “Not sure exactly what the numbers are right now. As you come off May, June, you’re trying to put all your energy into what we can do to end FY 26, and now we’ll approach FY 27 at this point.”
Corrigan said the program expects to be in a similar position for the upcoming year — that’s the nature of college athletics. According to a draft of the 2026-27 budget, the Wolfpack expects to spend roughly $142.3 million, and generate just over $133 million.
The United States Government Accountability Office released a report on Aug. 5 that stated most Division I athletic departments operate at a loss, while all Division II programs spend more than they generate.
“It’s a crazy time when you think about the revenue share,” Corrigan said. “But you’re also thinking about everything else that goes into it; with coaches, retaining coaches and travel — the travel expenses have gone up and — and everything else.”
Corrigan remains committed to finding alternative revenue sources and ensuring the athletic department ultimately ends the year with another balanced budget.
The Carolina Hurricanes’ run to the Stanley Cup Championship allowed N.C. State to open “Raleighwood,” on the north side of Carter-Finley Stadium, when the franchise hosted watch parties during road games. Corrigan said the university is exploring similar opportunities.
Additionally, the Wolfpack remains in pursuit of naming rights opportunities for Carter-Finley Stadium — a project that has been in the works since 2024 — and jersey patches.
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“We are in the market. Anyone interested in this room? We’re more than happy to take your dollars,” Corrigan joked. “But we’ve got a couple of people that have been further down the road. It’s just not an easy thing. … I believe in what our brand is, who we are, what we represent, what we represent to the state, and we’ve just got to find the right partner.”
The ideal sponsorship partner, Corrigan said, is a company willing to invest in the university. It’s one thing to put a name on a building, but does it want to provide internships for students or a larger collaboration with the school?
“The idea of just putting a logo on a uniform without anything else is only so appealing,” Corrigan said. “I would imagine it’s only so appealing to the company, as well.”
Determining a long-term partnership, regardless of location, is a priority as N.C. State continues its endeavors to increase revenue.
Additionally, the university hosted three concerts last year. Chris Brown came to Carter-Finley Stadium last fall, while Guns N’ Roses and Noah Kahan performed this summer. The school expects to continue seeking live music opportunities.
The Wolfpack has sold about 200 fewer season tickets for men’s basketball compared to this time last year, but is roughly 1,300 over the 2024-25 season.
Season basketball tickets increased in price due to donation thresholds, a move that was previously implemented for football. Corrigan acknowledges the home schedule, at least as it stands, does not have the same marquee matchups than a year ago. Last season, the Pack hosted Kansas, North Carolina and Duke at Lenovo Center.
N.C. State has not released its full schedule, and coach Justin Gainey does not expect to until the ACC releases the conference slate. The Wolfpack, however, will not play Duke or North Carolina at home. Despite the lack of major matchups, Corrigan encouraged fans to buy tickets.
“We brought a guy back here that loves this university, that’s got blood in the bricks, if you will, with the basketball program,” Corrigan said. “I really hope everyone comes out to do that.”
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