Arkansas Reinstates Tennis Teams After Donors Promise Millions

Less than three weeks after Arkansas cut its men’s and women’s tennis programs, the university’s athletic department will reinstate them ahead of the 2026-27 season.

According to a Thursday announcement from the university, donors provided “short-term” funding for both programs. Though Arkansas AD Hunter Yurachek says that this funding is not a permanent solution, and that “a significant endowment” is needed for the teams’ long-term health, it is seemingly sustainable enough for the near future.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported Wednesday that supporters of the tennis teams pledged around $5 million to help bring back the programs. Arkansas is seeking a $50 million endowment to help fund the team long-term. (The teams combine for about $2.5 million in annual operating costs.)

“We have engaged in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders, including alumni and donors, to explain our rationale and listen to their concerns,” Yurachek said. “We are thankful for our generous donors that have stepped forward in recent days.

“Over the next year, the Department of Athletics and the Razorback Foundation will closely monitor the progress of this endowment effort — ensuring it does not detract from any of our broader fundraising priorities and confirming that significant progress is being made,” Yurachek continued.

Arkansas initially cited costs when it cut both programs.

During the 2024-25 school year, Arkansas reported that its tennis teams generated just $3,284 in operating revenue. While that covers nearly none of the teams’ costs, the relatively small budgets meant that the programs actually generated the smallest financial loss out of any program besides football and basketball—the only two teams that gained a profit.

“It was pretty sad,” Arkansas men’s coach Jay Udwadia told FOS of the school’s initial decision. “A lot of players were crying—just disbelief, you know?”

After the programs were cut, a Change.org petition calling to reinstate them was created, garnering over 5,000 signatures. The Arkansas men played in the NCAA tournament just a week after the decision to eliminate their team, falling 4–3 to Cornell in the first round.

In recent weeks, several Division I schools have eliminated their tennis programs, with many citing a changing landscape in college sports following the House settlement. Cut programs include the Saint Louis and North Dakota men’s and women’s teams, as well as the Illinois State men’s team.

However, unlike Arkansas, those aforementioned schools do not have the resources that come with playing SEC football. Arkansas shares in a SEC media rights deal that is worth roughly $3 billion.

The Arkansas athletic department told FOS that they had no further comment on the matter. Udwadia and women’s tennis head coach Tucker Clary, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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