FAYETTEVILLE -- The Arkansas Razorbacks will add a 3% fee on all concession sales at home athletic events beginning with Saturday's football game against Ole Miss at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
In a letter emailed to donors, Arkansas Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek wrote that the fee will help fund additional scholarships that are proposed in the House v. NCAA settlement, which is expected to be implemented next year.
The 3% fee will be added to concessions "and other items," Yurachek wrote. He did not specify what other items would be included as part of the surcharge.
The Razorbacks' most recent NCAA member financial report listed a revenue grouping identified as "Program, Novelty, Parking and Concession Sales," which totaled a little more than $3.1 million for the fiscal year 2023.
"This is a small but meaningful way that fans can help provide their support of current and future Razorback student-athletes," Yurachek wrote.
In his letter, Yurachek detailed the changes that will be brought about by the House v. NCAA settlement, which has a final approval hearing scheduled for April 7, 2025, in the U.S. District Court of Northern California. The presiding judge in the case has given preliminary approval of the settlement terms.
Among the most notable changes are approximately $22 million in revenue that each program will share with athletes in the first year of the settlement, plus expanded scholarship limits in most sports. Yurachek wrote he expects Arkansas to add between 75 and 100 scholarships across the 19 sports, which will total about $3 million in additional new expenses per year.
Yurachek wrote Arkansas will undergo a "comprehensive budget review to explore new sources of revenue support as well as identify ways to operate more efficiently." The goal of the review, Yurachek wrote, is to identify $15 million in total savings and increased revenue each year.
"We must continue to maximize additional revenue opportunities while also being dutiful stewards of the resources which we have been afforded," Yurachek wrote.
Yurachek wrote the Arkansas men's basketball program will undergo a "comprehensive reset on ALL seating within Bud Walton Arena" prior to the 2025-26 season, indicating a seating equity overhaul similar to the one at baseball's Baum-Walker Stadium prior to the 2022 season.
"There has not been a comprehensive re-allocation of seating within Bud Walton Arena since it opened in 1993," Yurachek wrote. "Details of the plan are being finalized and will be provided in January to allow fans to make informed decisions on their annual fund commitments."
Yurachek wrote the reseating plan will be based on the existing configuration of seating at the arena, not on proposed renovations. Speaking at the Hawgs Illustrated Sports Club in September, Yurachek said the renovation plans have been placed on the "side burner."
Arkansas has added corporate logos on the playing surface at Reynolds Razorback Stadium and Walton Arena as part of new NCAA rules this year. Bentonville-based Walmart and Springdale-based Tyson Foods advertise on the surface at both venues, and Yurachek wrote additional advertising opportunities are being explored at other venues.