Hurricane Irma, College Football, and a Timeless Ethical Dilemma

UPDATE: at 5:28pm on Thursday 9/7/2017 UF canceled the game against Northern Colorado.

What was supposed to be an exciting home opening game for the Florida Gators has turned into an ethical dilemma with huge business ramifications.

Category 4 Hurricane Irma is expected to make landfall around Miami late Saturday or early Sunday. The effects of the storm will be felt state-wide, including the Gator’s home of Gainesville, Fla. Tropical storm forced winds (Constant 39+MPH) will arrive on campus as early as 8:00 p.m. on Saturday night. 

The question for the University of Florida Athletic Association becomes: What should be done about the 7:30 p.m. kickoff against Northern Colorado?

The Business Behind College Football

Each university athletic association is a business that must make a profit and delight its loyal customers. Football profits often drive next year’s budget to provide funding for all of the university’s sports. Football schedules are carefully crafted to maximize profit in the regular season, and hopefully, the postseason.

UF guaranteed Northern Colorado $625,000 to come and play the Gators this weekend. This expense pays off in two big ways: 1. This is a “cupcake game” that UF will likely win, giving them a better chance for the very profitable playoffs. 2. Ticket prices are lowered to fill each seat. At $20/seat, and 90,000 seats, that is $1.8M in gross profits. But most seats cost more than $20, leaving room for even greater profits.

Florida is hurricane prone; last year, UF had to cancel two home games because of Hurricanes Hermine and Matthew. Losing two home games greatly impacts the available cashflow. Wanting to make up for last year’s deficit, the last thing the Gators wanted was another hurricane.

The projection the UF Athletic Association saw when making the decision Wednesday 9/6/2017

Black Clouds and Grey Decisions

With almost the entire state of Florida dangling in the dreaded cone of uncertainty, a decision had to be made about the Gator game to give employees and fans time to plan. Uncertainty had to be balanced with risk.

Is it worth the risk of human safety for the profits of a football game? Is it worth the risk of monetary loss for a storm that may never come to Gainesville?

If the game goes on, the Gators should have a better chance for the payout of the playoffs, could still profit from the game, and give expecting fans the home opener they’ve been waiting for.

On the other hand, hosting the game would take emergency workers away from preparing the community, encourage fans to travel across the clogged roadways of Florida, and unnecessarily hold Northern Colorado’s team hostage in two states: Florida and emergency.

The Decision

With the state, county, and city preemptively under a state of emergency, on Wednesday afternoon the decision was made to move kickoff to noon on Saturday, just eight hours before winds are to pick up.

UF Athletics Director Scott Stricklin said, "With tropical conditions possibly expected in our region on Saturday night or Sunday morning, moving the game from 7:30 p.m. to noon will give people a chance to come to the game and return home before any expected weather or effects hit our area."

In Gainesville, gameday will go on as usual: tailgating is encouraged, hotels are booked by fans, and tickets are excitedly being picked up.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

I am an avid Gator fan. I absolutely love my school and its athletic teams. But I am disappointed that we are having a game on Saturday. To me, it says that the University of Florida prioritizes football records and profits over the safety and wellbeing of the community.

Changing the kickoff time prevents the game from being broadcast on TV, will lower the game’s attendance, and take time away from students, staff, and fans from preparing for the storm. Over 30 of the 92 players are from South Florida, where the brunt of the storm will be felt; they may not be fully present during the game for fear for their families. Additionally, the game encourages alcohol consumption, intercounty travel, and forces Northern Colorado to enter a potentially hazardous environment.

Setting up for tailgating on Thursday, two days before winds arrive

Business Application

I understand the economics of football; to function fiscally, the Gators need to play games. But at what point do profits trump safety? I interned at CSX over the summer, and learned that “safety is a way of life.” Efficiency and excellence are always expected but never at the compromise of safety.

When hurricanes brew offshore, Floridians often say, “Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.” This applies to businesses facing uncertainty. It is best to be liberal in your preparation for a worst-case business environment so that you are prepared no matter what arises.

No matter how difficult the circumstances, people should always be prioritized over profits. I’m not saying to bankrupt your business for the people, but instead, don’t add to your bottom line at the expense of your people. Money will come and go, but treat your people right and they’ll stand by you forever.

The Bottom Line: When facing uncertainty, it is better to risk loss of profits than loss of people.

If you are in Florida, please take extreme caution around this very powerful storm. My prayers are with you and yours.

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Michael Cizek works for Zoom as a Business Development Representative. In his free time, you can find him biking with friends or driving his beloved 1986 Toyota 4Runner. Michael lives in Denver, CO.  Feel free to contact him at [email protected].