When it comes to the business of college sports, there’s a lot of money to be made. Not only do college athletics make millions off of ticket sales every year, but even millions more are made off of merchandise sales. From t-shirts to welcome mats and everything in between, it’s easy to find just about anything with your favorite college team’s logo on it. In the most recent 2012-13 Collegiate Licensing Company Report, the CLC announced the top-selling college institutions ranked by royalties reported from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013. Holding exclusive branding rights to every major school other than Ohio State, Michigan State, USC, and Oregon, the CLC reported that the retail marketplace for licensed college merchandise was estimated at $4.62 billion. Even though exact numbers were not able to be provided, read on and see if your favorite school is one of the top five who made the most off merchandise.
5. University of Kentucky
Big Blue Nation helped push the University of Kentucky Wildcats into the top five this season, supporting the 19 Division I varsity teams ranging from men’s basketball to the coed rifle practice team. The UK Wildcats have won 11 national athletic championships, its latest being in 2012 by the men’s basketball team, adding to seven previous titles.
4. The University of Michigan
The University of Michigan Wolverines are one of the fiercest and most successful collegiate athletic organizations in the country. The University of Michigan has 27 varsity sports while its football program has won 11 national titles and ranks first in NCAA history in total wins (910) and second in winning percentage (.732) behind rival Notre Dame.
3. University of Notre Dame
With an upstanding collegiate athletic history and tradition, the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish moved up in the rankings after an appearance in the BCS title game. Notre Dame has won 13 national football championships, over 1,600 basketball games and an additional 14 national championships in various other sports.
2. The University of Alabama
Known most famously for its football program started in 1892, The University of Alabama Crimson Tide has won 23 SEC titles, 15 national championships, 838 games, and has made an NCAA-record 60 postseason bowl appearances. The Tide also ended the 2010 season with a perfect record and has won three BCS titles over the past five seasons.
1. The University of Texas at Austin
For the eighth straight year, The University of Texas at Austin Longhorns once again took the top spot collecting more royalties than any other college represented by the CLC. Selected as “America’s Best Sports College” by Sports Illustrated in 2002, The University of Texas at Austin has continually maintained a highly successful athletic tradition and is known throughout the nation as a college football powerhouse.
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