Non-Power Five schools are being challenged to rethink how they drive revenue and maintain competitiveness. Yet, many athletic departments remain under-resourced.
With the acceleration of NIL, expanded media rights, and new models for athlete development, Non-Power Five schools are being challenged to rethink how they drive revenue and maintain competitiveness. Yet, many athletic departments remain under-resourced when it comes to adopting cutting-edge technology and exploring creative capital strategies. This is where advisors and consultants can play a transformative role.
1. The Technology Gap in College Sports
Professional sports franchises have long embraced data analytics, fan engagement platforms, digital ticketing, and performance technologies. Many collegiate programs, however, lag behind—not due to lack of interest, but because of:
Budget constraints that prioritize immediate needs over long-term tech investments.
Limited in-house expertise to evaluate and implement emerging solutions.
Fragmented decision-making structures across athletic departments.
Consultants with a focus on sports tech can bridge this gap by:
Auditing existing digital and operational systems.
Identifying revenue-driving technologies (ticketing, fan engagement, sponsorship platforms, athlete wellness tech).
Managing vendor relationships to ensure adoption and ROI.
2. Private Equity as a Growth Engine
While PE has become a common partner for pro teams and leagues, collegiate programs have only begun to explore its potential. The right advisory structure can help universities understand:
Infrastructure partnerships, PE can back facility upgrades, naming rights deals, or technology rollouts without draining university budgets.
Media and content opportunities, Investors are hungry for niche sports content; schools can tap this capital to expand streaming and digital presence.
Revenue-sharing models, Structured correctly, PE involvement can expand cash flow for athletic departments while preserving institutional oversight.
3. Why Outside Advisors Matter
Athletic directors are tasked with managing compliance, student-athlete experience, and team success leaving little bandwidth to scout new technologies or structure complex financing models. Advisors bring:
Specialized expertise across sports tech, venture capital, and private equity.
Neutral perspective to negotiate with vendors and investors.
Speed to market in identifying revenue drivers that align with program goals.
4. The Competitive Advantage for Schools
Programs that embrace external advisory support will position themselves to:
Create new revenue streams outside of ticket sales and donations.
Enhance fan and athlete experience through modern technology.
Build sustainable growth models with outside capital that doesn’t overextend university resources.
The next decade of college athletics will be defined not just by who recruits the best athletes, but by which programs best leverage technology and innovative financing. For Non Power five schools and beyond, engaging with advisors and consultants isn’t just a nice TO HAVE it’s a competitive necessity.
