UNLV Faces Funding Crisis for Mullen's Contract

UNLV's athletic department is grappling with significant debt, admitting it can only fund the first two years of new head football coach Dan Mullen’s five-year, $17.5 million contract. Athletic director Erick Harper revealed the department is between $26-$31 million in debt and is rallying donor support and increasing ticket prices to meet future financial obligations. The hiring of Mullen, who previously coached at Florida, is seen as a strategic move following a successful 2024 season with former coach Barry Odom. UNLV aims to boost revenue through donations and higher ticket sales, despite skepticism about the sustainability of these measures, and has already seen an uptick in season ticket sales. The school’s situation mirrors other universities, like Colorado, that have similarly committed to high-profile coaching contracts without immediate funding.