Arizona State AD gives updates on revenue sharing and much more

On Thursday, Arizona State athletics director held a press conference, making his first public remarks since the House v NCAA settlement was formally approved. As such, most of the conversation centered on the Sun Devils' approach to revenue sharing, now officially the law of the land following the resolution.

While there are reportedly a total of $20.5 million provided to Arizona State via the new revenue sharing model, only $18 million of that will be allocated to directly paying players, as the remainder is being dedicated to the increases in scholarships that come as a result of the settlement.

As for the breakdown of how Rossini will allocate that $18 million lump of cash, he declined to offer specific percentages but did note that football and men's basketball will be the priorities.

Rossini also committed to not cutting any sports in the wake of the changing landscape of college athletics. Arizona State sponsors 26 sports, the most in the Big 12 and one of the highest totals in the country. Most of them are not considered revenue sports, but Rossini remains committed to servicing all 26 programs.

In speaking on the decision not to cut any sports, Rossini said this:

"It's very challenging, but we want to continue to focus on ways that we can accomplish all 26 sports. We created them for a reason, they have value to ASU in terms of being a connection tool for such a dynamic university - such an international university, you look at a lot of our rosters and there's international players on most of them - and that's really important for us. We continue to do everything we can to maintain all 26, we are not having conversations about moving off that.""

Rossini also spoke on the rapidly rising interest in the football program following last year's College Football Playoff berth. Earlier this year, Arizona State unveiled new field-level luxury boxes for sail. Now, according to Rossini, the Sun Devils have sold over 7,500 new season tickets for the upcoming season, setting a record.

The conversation then turned to basketball, and Rossini stopped short of giving a full-throated endorsement of head coach Bobby Hurley, who will coach on the final year of his contract and may have the hottest seat of any college basketball coach right now.

"I believe in Bobby Hurley. I know his back is against the wall... I know he wants to compete and I know he wants to be a Sun Devil. His body of work has been largely successful. I think there's more in the tank."

Rossini declined to set any sort of metric that Hurley would need to reach next season in order to receive a contract extension. However, he did provide a (small) update on the coming renovations to Desert Financial Arena, suggesting that the first stage of the multi-year renovation is expected to begin after graduation ceremonies conclude in May of 2026.

Finally, Rossini provided an update on the Sun Devil Athletics Hall of Fame. While former basketball star Jeff Ayres had previously been announced as an inductee this fall, Rossini announced they will also enshrine the entire 1975 football team, which finished a perfect 12-0.