UNC Athletics Budget Shortfall Much Less Than Expected Posted Jul 14, 2021 The budget shortfall in the athletics department at North Carolina is turning out to be millions less than projected last year amid the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. About a year ago, athletic director Bubba Cunningham projected a loss in revenue of more than $30 million. Cunningham said on Monday that the shortfall is actually less than $6 million. (AthleticBusiness.com)