Although the NCAA investigation has turned the football program on its head, athletic and business officials said neither football ticket sales nor Franklin Street profits have suffered.
Rick Steinbacher, UNC assistant athletic director and guest speaker at Thursday’s Friends of the Downtown meeting, said that though the investigation was never something that he thought the athletics department would have to deal with, it has not had a negative impact on support for the football program.
“Our ticket sales are strong,” he said. “We have been blow away by the support of our fans.”
So far this year, three out of the six home games have sold out.
Though he could not comment on the investigation, he said it is a very stressful time for the athletic department. However, Steinbacher said facing the investigation will help make the department stronger.
“We will fix the issue, and we will deal with it in the right way,” he said.
Many Franklin Street business owners said that they have not directly been affected by the ongoing investigation.
“Football is always good for downtown,” said Pat Evans, chairwoman of the downtown business networking group.
Genny Wrenn, whose father owns the Shrunken Head Boutique, said customers have mentioned their hopes that Tar Heel fans, athletes and students can all move on.