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North Dakota Drops Men’s and Women’s Tennis as Budget Pressures Reshape College Programs

Athletic directors cite new athlete revenue-sharing costs from the House v. NCAA settlement as a driver of cuts to non-revenue sports.

Overview

  • UND, which announced the move Thursday, April 30, ended both tennis teams immediately and will keep current players on scholarship while offering transfer help.
  • The cut joins recent Division I exits at Arkansas, Saint Louis, and Illinois State, with ITA data showing 21 tennis programs dropped this season and nine in Division I.
  • Leaders link the reductions to post-settlement expenses that allow schools to share up to $20.5 million with athletes and add scholarships, shifting funds toward football and basketball.
  • Arkansas men, competing Friday in the NCAA tournament, lost to Cornell in a result that could end the 71-year program as supporters work to save it.
  • Dropping both teams leaves UND with 15 varsity sports, below the 16 required for top-tier FBS football, which could limit any bid to change conference status.