Linda D. Robertson
Associate Executive Director for Business
February 2015
FHSAA History
 1920 - Opened as a Private Corporation – operating out of
UF’s Peabody Hall
 Organized and formed by coaches seeking fair play
The Business of FHSAA
 1952 – Designated a Non-Profit Private Corporation
 Governed by its Public & Private Schools
 2014 – 798 Member schools (227 Private; 571 Public)
History of Legislation regarding FHSAA
 1997 – First recognition in Florida Statutes
 Named the governing organization for HS athletics for
PUBLIC schools (no option)
 2003– Legislative study recommended raising fines for
eligibility violations and added physical exam requirements
 2012 – HB 1403 changed eligibility rules on transfers and
recruiting
The Business of FHSAA – Myths & Truth
Myth #1
Perceived as relying on Public Funds (taxes)
Truth
 FHSAA does NOT receive state funding or tax dollars
 The Florida Education Finance Program(FEFP) does NOT
provide funding for Athletics or Extra Curricular Activities
 Public Schools rely heavily on Activity Funds from ticket
sales, fund raisers and donations to fund Athletics
 FHSAA Policy requires member schools only use nonpublic funds to pay FHSAA dues, fees and fines
The Business of FHSAA – Myths & Truth
Myth #2:
Perceived as relying on Penalties/Fines for funding
Truth
 Less than 3% of resources are Fines (2013-14 FY)
($112,739 Public, $23,460 Private Schools, $14,530 Officials)
$150,000 out of
$5.3 Million
Fines
Other
2013-14 $150,000 in Fines
469 school fines for $135,500
= Average $289 per fine
Officials
$14,500
87 Policy Fines
$43,500
382 Conduct
Fines
$92,000
History of Fines
 FY 2008
$521,475
 FY 2014
$150,229
Financial Goal
(adopted 2009)
“Fund the organization with 100%
ticket sales from State Finals,
Sponsorships, Media contracts, and
Royalties so there is No Financial
Burden to our Schools”
6 Yr Record
In 2014-15 - FHSAA will redirect $1.2 million
more PER YEAR to schools compared to 2008
$400,000 - Membership Dues Reduced to nominal $25
$168,000 – More being paid to Finals Teams ($417,000/year)
$371,000 – Less in Fines
$116,000 – Less in FB Classic Fees & elimination of
Recognized Sport Participation fees
$65,000 – Less in Tournament Sanction Fees
$43,000 - FHSAA Share of State Series Reduced – now only
collect 15% on 7 sports and 25% football
Let’s Talk About…
What’s Better for Student-Athletes
FHSAA changes since 2008
 33% More participation in Championships
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6 to 8 classifications in team sports
2 to 3 classifications in Golf (50% increase)
3 to 4 classifications in Swimming & Diving
 Competitive Cheer began Regional Competitions
 Inclusion of Adaptive Track and Unified Sports Basketball
 New Rural Division in Team Sports (except soccer)
 New FASMED Committee focusing on Student Welfare
and Safety
 Changes in Policy & By-Laws that are Student Focused
Transparency to the Public
Website:
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Budgets – Detailed and Summarized (sample charts next slide)
Audits
IRS form 990
Presentations – Myths & Truths
State Championship Attendance, Financials, Other Statistics
Public Board Meetings:
 Discuss/Approve Budgets, and set Fee Policies
 Present independent audits annually (& provide to State Auditor
General)
 IRS form 990 provided for information
 Board minutes archived on website
Florida High School Athletic Association
Where Money Comes From
$5,297,426
2013-14 FY
Where Money Goes - $5,032,501
Officials
11%
$530,872
Recognition
2%
$106,761
Utilities &
Maintenance
$121,203
2%
2013-14 FY
Communication,
Promotions, Gen
Admin & Other
Compliance
11%
$537,135
38%
$1,924,002
Sports Mgt
36%
$1,812,528
School Athletic Funding
Regular season is 100% school resource (nothing to
FHSAA unless special event)
Post season: $8+ Million (tickets, concessions, parking
and team pay for championships) stays at school
3,678+ State Series Events are Hosted by Schools
Schools Share of Gate Receipts for District & Region:
100% for 24 sports
85% for 7 sports
75% for football
School Athletic Funding
Changes in last 6 Years on % of Gate to FHSAA:
2008/09 –
16 Sports paid $60,000/yr in participation fees
(instead of % of gate)
16 Sports paid 15%-25% of gate to FHSAA
Today:
7 team sports pay 15% of gate
football pays 25% of gate
ALL other revenue shares to FHSAA have been
eliminated
FHSAA State Championships:
246 Finals Events Hosted by FHSAA each Year
Single largest funding source for the FHSAA
$1 Million per year gross revenue
Funds used to pay $690,000 expense:
Participating teams paid $417,000
Officials
Trophies
Other event costs
Net to fund FHSAA $310,000
Financial Reform
FHSAA is an organization in the middle of major financial reform – a few
examples:
2008/09:
$300 - $1,100 member fee based on size
$500,000 collected in fines
32 sports paid either share of gate or participation fee for State Series
$249,000 paid to teams participating in State Finals
Today:
$25 Membership fee
$138,000 collected in fines
8 team sports share a percent of gate for State Series
$417,000 paid to teams participating in State Finals
The Business of the FHSAA
You can Define the Purpose of a Business by where it
gets its money and how it spends its money
 89% of expense is Event Management, Officials,
Training & Publications, and General
Administration
 11% of expense is Compliance and Eligibility
 FHSAA does not receive State funding or tax dollars
 FHSAA is a Non-Profit Private Corporation
 FHSAA’s post season State Series generates $8+
million per year for member schools athletics
501c(3) Annual Resources
Then and Now
2014-15
$5 Million
2008-09
$4.3 Million
18% from Schools
Sanction Fees
Dues & legal
Fines
33% from Schools
Sanction Fees
Dues & legal
Fines
18%
Corporate
13%
10%
12%
4%
29%
Corporate
8% Officials
8%
State Series Events
41%
State Series Events
12% Officials
Florida High School Athletic Association
4%
41%
Funding a Non-Profit Athletic
Organization
Member Fees
Service Fees
Donations (rare)
Sponsorships/Advertising/Media Rights
Event Fees & Ticket Sales
Merchandizing (Logo mechandise, photography, souvenirs)
Interest on Investments
Choices are being made to develop a model that best serves the
purpose of the organization at the least cost to those it serves
(member schools)