Front Row Seat: SDSU athletics struggling with debt
San Diego State asks its students for even more money, Padres SP Yu Darvish considers retirement, a miracle in college soccer, an NBA Cup final preview and more!
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Section 1904
Darren Smith
Do rumors that the Padres are shopping Nick Pivetta mean the team is raising the white flag on 2026? "I think that's probably premature" - @dsmithshow pic.twitter.com/MX8iibMv7O
— Section 1904 (@Section1904) December 15, 2025
San Diego State Aztecs
SDSU committee recommends 41% increase to student athletic fees - San Diego Union-Tribune
In a 2024-25 athletics budget posted on the university’s website, student fees were the single largest revenue source at $16.3 million. According to the College Athletics Database, which collects mandatory financial filings from 240 public institutions, SDSU’s student fee contribution was the 21st highest nationally for the 2024 fiscal year.
The College Athletics Database also shows a $29.1 million deficit by SDSU’s athletic department in 2024 and some of Division I’s highest debt at $282 million – presumably from building Snapdragon Stadium – despite not having access to the television riches of a power conference.
Chris Johnson Named an Associated Press Second-Team All-American - GoAztecs
Despite missing the Hawai‘i game with an injury (Hawai‘i had 300 total yards in the first half vs. San Diego State and scored 38 points in the game), Johnson ranks in a tie for first in FBS in interceptions returned for a touchdown (2, T-1st in MW), fourth in interception yards (146, 1st in MW), tied for ninth in passes defended per game (1.17, 1st in MW), tied for 16th in total interceptions (4, T-3rd in MW), tied for 22nd in interceptions per game (0.36, T-5th in MW) and tied for 34th in total pass breakups (9, T-4th in MW).
