Arkansas announces 3% fee increase on concession sales to fund scholarships after House settlement

The University of Arkansas is taking some creative measures in anticipation of the House vs. NCAA settlement, building in a 3% fee increase to concession sales to help fund scholarships.

The program announced the move on Thursday in a letter from athletics director Hunter Yurachek to the fans.

“We could spend plenty of time discussing the merits of the old system vs. the new system,” Yurachek wrote. “However, as the leader of Razorback Athletics, I have challenged our administration, coaches and staff to focus on the road ahead and how we can best position ourselves to build on the tremendous success of our program, while also meeting the increased financial demands of this new intercollegiate athletics world.”

The new concessions fee increase will be one of a handful of changes the Razorbacks make to help generate a projected $22 million in necessary funding for athlete scholarships.

Arkansas anticipates the addition of 75-100 additional scholarships following the House vs. NCAA settlement, with a projected cost of an additional $3 million.

Other efforts that Arkansas has taken to raise additional funding are the implementation of corporate logos on playing surfaces. Logos for Tyson Foods, Inc. and Walmart have been included on the field at Razorback Stadium and on the court at Bud Walton Arena.

The program will also initiate a “comprehensive reset” on all seating within Bud Walton Arena, with the plan designed to enhance the annual revenue for the program.

But Arkansas promises the change will yield “a more equitable process” for Razorback Foundation members to select season ticket locations.

Finally, following the success of several special events like a Garth Brooks concert at Razorback Stadium and an Alan Jackson concert at Bud Walton Arena, the program will continue to search for meaningful similar ventures for fans to enjoy.