You know all that talk about college athletes being paid? Well, after further review of the types of money that college football teams bring in each year, it might be time for players to get just a little slice of the pie. With Forbes just announcing the most valuable teams on the gridiron, recently, here are how the breakdown—with proof that football is pretty big down south.
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20. Oregon Ducks – $68 million
The Oregon Ducks have been one of the most consistent teams of the past 20-plus years in college football—as well as one of the flashiest—so it’s no surprise that they find themselves on this list. With the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Marcus Mariota, and a chance to win a national title in the first college football playoff, the Ducks should continue to see themselves climb up this list. Especially as Nike continues to produce crazy uniforms for them.
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19. USC Trojans – $69 million
An absolute powerhouse several years ago, USC has dipped a little bit due to some sanctions and violations that stripped them of both scholarships and previous success, but the Trojans are still as blue-blood of a program as you get. Welcoming a new head coach this season, Steve Sarkisian, the school should see an influx in enthusiasm and blue-chip recruits, only helping them turn a bigger profit in coming years.
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18. Arkansas Razorbacks – $71 million
Even though the Arkansas Razorbacks aren’t one of the teams that many think of when comparing schools in the powerful SEC, they prove that they know what they’re doing down in Fayetteville, as they’ve been valued at $71 million. With a head coach in Bret Bielema who has shown to be a winner from his past stops, the school hopes to see themselves climb back towards the top of the conference and into major bowls once again.
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17. Michigan State Spartans – $72 million
Thanks to the resurgence that head coach Mark Dantonio has brought to East Lansing since taking the gig years ago, the Michigan State Spartans have seen their value go up. That’s because they’re constantly being considered as the favorites in the Big Ten Conference, competing with big-time programs for bowls that bring lots of money. And with a Rose Bowl title in early 2014, they gained national attention that will only help continue to build the program.
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16. South Carolina Gamecocks – $72 million
Hall of Fame coach Steve Spurrier has always been one to know what the road towards success looks like, so it’s not surprising to see the Gamecocks on this list. Playing in the deep-pocketed SEC, South Carolina has enjoyed pretty good success over the past few years. Even though they had a down season in 2014 following a 10-win year in 2013, they are still vaulted at $72 million.
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15. Nebraska Cornhuskers – $73 million
After years of dealing with the personality of now former head coach Bo Pelini, the Nebraska Cornhuskers decided that they needed a facelift to help resurrect the program back to where it once was. Who knows if the change will pay-off or not, but one thing that Pelini can be proud of is how he helped bring in big money to the school, as the Huskers find themselves worth $73 million. Sure, they didn’t play in a big bowl, but that’s something that builds a program, too.
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14. Washington Huskies – $77 million
Living in Seattle, seeing the Washington Huskies worth $77 million and sitting this high on this list is a bit surprising to me. Sure, they just renovated their stadium and hired a new head coach, but the team hasn’t had as much success as some of the others listed her both recently or over time. Their evaluation is credit to the university and its fans, though, as they continue to show support and pump money into the program, making it one of the highest-valued teams in the country.
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13. Texas A&M Aggies – $78 million
Make no doubt about it, former iconic quarterback Johnny Manziel had as much to do with the Texas A&M Aggies valued at $78 million more than anything. Sure, the school has great tradition and unbelievable support, but without Johnny Football the past two years, there’s no way they are this high. Playing in the SEC and having an exciting, high-octane offense certainly helps, too, so it’ll be interesting to see where they go in these rankings in the next few years.
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12. Penn State Nittany Lions – $80 million
Surviving the debacle that occurred at the end of the Joe Paterno era a couple of years ago, Penn State football has remained to stay profitable, being valued at $80 million this year. With new head coach James Franklin hoping to bring new life and a different energy to the program that has been lacking for some time, the team hopes that tradition and high expectations will help win more games in upcoming years.
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11. Florida Gators – $82 million
Just a few years ago, the Florida Gators were the staple of what a college football program should be. Consistent coaching, top recruits and a fan base that showed up no matter what the weather was. With a few national titles and, arguably, the most polarizing player in college football history in Tim Tebow, the Gators had it all. And while they’re still valued at $82 million, they hope that a new coach can help them get back to the level they were a few seasons ago.
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10. Georgia Bulldogs – $83 million
Under head coach Mark Richt, the Georgia Bulldogs constantly find themselves as a contender in the tough SEC, always topping preseason predictions as a serious challenger in both the conference and national title races. And with great history and a fan base as rabid as any out there, it’s no wonder the Dawgs are valued at $83 million. Plus, the scene in Athens on game day is about as wild and memorable as any in college sports.
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9. Ohio State Buckeyes – $87 million
No matter where you live, there’s a good chance that you have some opinion on the football program at the Ohio State University. Seemingly the most-hated program of every SEC and Big Ten fan, the Buckeyes have been the envy of the sport for years, as they’ve enjoyed a ton of success under various head coaches. From BCS bowls under former leader Jim Tressel, to rebuilding the program into a national powerhouse again under current coach Urban Meyer, the Bucks know that their nationwide support leads to millions of dollars.
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8. Oklahoma Sooners – $93 million
With the stability and success that head coach Bob Stoops brings to Norman, the Oklahoma Sooners find themselves valued at $93 million, making them a force to be reckoned with in terms of both success on and off the field. And, although I’ve never been to Oklahoma, I would imagine that there’s one thing that the entire state supports—Sooners football. Thanks to such love, the school should continue to see the program bring in lots of cash.
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7. Tennessee Volunteers – $94 million
Traditionally one of the most-recognized SEC teams, the Tennessee Volunteers might not have been too relevant over the past decade or so, but that hasn’t mean they haven’t seen an influx of money come into the program. Sure, they have seen coaches come and go and a few rules violations enforced, but Vols fans are passionate about their team with the Power T, and continue to hope they turn things around as they pile through the turnstiles for every game and wear orange shirts anywhere they go.
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6. Auburn Tigers – $97 million
Last year’s national championship runners-up, the Auburn Tigers have built quite the program under head coach Guz Malzahn in his two seasons. Ranked as high as No. 2 this season, the team dipped out of the national title picture, but still have support from millions around the state and country. They have an explosive offense and a rivalry with Alabama that has exploded with the success of both teams, so it’s not surprising to see them valued at $97 million.
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5. LSU Tigers – $103 million
Another SEC school that has seen recent success thanks to both stability at the head coaching position and big-name players, the LSU Tigers are always in the discussion as a potentially dangerous squad. They haven’t won a national title in six seasons, but they did play in the final game a few years ago, and have built a few rivalries with teams that have made them even more relevant. Valued at $103 million, the Tigers should continue to see plenty of money pump into the football program.
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4. Alabama Crimson Tide – $107 million
The most dominant program in college football over the past several years, head coach Nick Saban has turned the Crimson Tide into a future NFL factory, taking the best talent in the country and creating an atmosphere that is unmatched by any other college football team. With national titles, accolades and fan support that stretches across the country, the Tide is one of just five programs worth over $100 million. With a shot at another national championship this season, they could move up even more.
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3. Michigan Wolverines – $117 million
Want to know why Michigan fans have such high expectations for their football program? It’s because they have deep pockets and even richer history, meaning all the losing they’ve had to endure the past several years is both unacceptable and frustrating. Still, even as the team has stayed in neutral in the Rich Rodriguez and Brady Hoke eras, the program has brought in loads of cash, and being valued at $117 million—which will certainly be a selling points as they look for their next head coach.
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2. Notre Dame Fighting Irish – $122 million
Playing in one of the cathedrals of college football, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish bring in thousands of fans each and every home game, with those people pumping plenty of money into both concessions and local businesses while there. And, although the Irish slipped towards the end of this season after a high ranking, the Golden Domers will always do whatever they can to compete with other colleges on the gridiron. With a TV deal with NBC and maintaing independence in football, the Irish will continue to make plenty of bank.
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1. Texas Longhorns – $131 million
While other schools benefit from a conference network, the Texas Longhorns are so popular that they actually have their own; the Longhorn Network. For that reason, the burnt orange have seen serious profits, helping them land as the highest-valued college football program. With the changing of the guard from previous head coach Mack Brown to Charlie Strong this season, UT fans believe they have the right guy to help get the team back to the success they had for all those years in the late-’90s and first decade of the 2000s. With a valuation of $131 million, they certainly have the budget to do what they can to attract recruits and fans, that’s for sure.
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