SEATTLE, Wash. – The University of Washington is reducing its overall athletic department operating budget by 15% for the 2020-21 fiscal year and all the school’s head coaches have agreed to minimum 5% pay reductions.
Washington athletic director Jennifer Cohen announced the moves, which will save the school around $13 million.
She reiterated that the school intends to continue offering all 22 of its athletic programs.
Meantime, the National Women’s Soccer League opens its month-long Challenge Cup tournament today in Utah and the pressure is on as it becomes the first professional team sports league to play in the U.S. amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Eight of the league’s teams are sequestered in facilities used by the the Utah Royals and Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake.
Players will be subject to a rigorous testing protocol and games will be played without fans.