Finley Stadium Executive Director Merrill Eckstein says the stadium may manage to break even this year despite the fact the city is no longer providing $60,000 in help.
He said there is a $22,000 shortfall at this point, but he is hopeful that amount can be achieved either through additional revenue or spending reductions.
"I do think we have a chance of breaking even," Mr. Eckstein told members of the Stadium Corporation board on Tuesday.
Board member Rickie Pierce said, "It's very commendable in light of losing the $60,000."
Gordon Davenport Jr., another board member, noted that there are numerous events held at the stadium, the Stadium Club and the First Tennessee Pavilion. He said, "It's striking how much benefit this facility brings to Chattanooga. If you knew then what you know now, it's a no-brainer to build it."
Mr. Eckstein said UTC football is the main money-maker for the stadium. He said Moc football attendance was around 52,000 this past season - down from around 64,000 the prior year.
But he said there will be five home games this season, including top draws Appalachian State and Georgia Southern.
He also said the stadium will host a high school football jamboree, the Baylor-McCallie game and a couple of other high school contests, including Tyner versus Brainerd and a team from Middle Tennessee and one from Knoxville who are "meeting in the middle."
Mr. Eckstein said there will be seven home UTC soccer contests.
Chairman Bryan Patten gave a report on a visit he made to Pizza Hut Stadium at Frisco, Tex. Frisco now hosts the national championship football game that once made its home in Chattanooga.