Touchdown! These College Football Programs Are Worth Millions
Most people tune in to watch college football games for the comradery, competition, and to cheer on their school. No one really thinks about how much each program is worth. But between ticket sales, alumni donations, television contracts, and apparel sales, many football programs around the country are racking in the dough!
Just look at Michigan State. During the 2018-2019 season, their team brought over $140 million to the school. And they're not even the highest-grossing program!
Florida State University: Over $152 Million
Between their distinctive helmets, the iconic fight song, and numerous traditions, Florida State University's football program is one of the most popular in the country. All it takes is one rival game against the University of Florida or Miami for the stands to be packed with screaming fans.
Since their first season in 1902, the Seminoles have claimed three National Championship titles, 18 Conference Championship titles, and six Division Championship titles. The football program grossed over $152 million during the 2018-2019 season.
University Of Texas: Over $223 Million
The University of Texas's football program is one of the most popular in the country. The Longhorns bring in fans that never even attended the school! With over 900 wins, four National Championship titles, and 32 Conference Championship titles, it's not hard to see why.
Between all of the ticket and apparel sales, this particular football program brings in a solid amount of money to the university -- over $223 million during the 2018-2019 season, to be exact.
Texas A&M University: Over $212 Million
The Aggies of the Texas A&M University football program know how to bring in a crowd, playing home games at an on-campus stadium that seats 102,733 fans. That's a whole lot of ticket sales for the university!
This iconic NCAA team has claimed 18 Conference Championship titles and three National Championship titles. They're even lucky enough to say that, at one point, they had two Heisman trophy winners on the team. At the end of the 2018-2019 season, this program grossed over $212 million.
The Ohio State University: Over $210 Million
The Ohio State University football program has been an iconic part of the school since 1890. Since the team's debut, the Buckeyes have won eight National Championship titles, 41 Conference Championship titles, and even had seven Heisman trophy winners play for the team.
And with ten undefeated seasons, it's no wonder Buckeye fans are all too happy to bleed scarlet and gray. During the 2018-2019 season, the football program grossed over $210 million.
University Of Florida: Over $159 Million
The Florida Gators are one of the more popular teams in Florida (don't tell Florida State!). With three National Championship titles, eight Conference Championship titles, and 15 Division Championship titles, concessions probably have little trouble selling tickets to "The Swamp."
Seeing that the 2018-2019 season saw the university's football program gross a solid revenue of over $159 million, it's safe to say that our ticket sale assumption is pretty spot on!
University Of Michigan: Over $197 Million
With the most wins in college football history, it's not overly surprising to see people piling into the University of Michigan's "Big House" on game day, especially if "The Game" against Ohio State is being played!
Throughout the Wolverines' history, the football program has claimed 11 National Championship titles, 42 Conference Championship titles, and one Division title. Between ticket sales, TV appearances, and all of the apparel sold to fans, Michigan's football program grossed over $197 million during the 2018-2019 season.
University Of Georgia: Over $174 Million
Since the University of Georgia's inaugural season in 1892, they have gained quite the fanbase. With unique traditions such as the "Dawg Walk" and the "Glory, Glory" rally song, the Bulldogs have some of the best fans in the nation.
And the ten Division Championship titles, two National Championship titles, and the 15 Conference Championship titles probably don't hurt their enthusiasm! Over the course of the 2018-2019 season, Georgia's football program grossed over $174 million for the university.
Penn State University: Over $164 Million
When Penn State's campus is showered in nothing but white, fans know it's about to be one fun evening at Beaver Stadium. The Nittany Lions have a whopping 13 undefeated seasons since their debut as a member of the Big Ten Conference in 1993.
Not to mention their four Big Ten Conference Championship wins, their two National Championship titles, and their five Conference Championship titles! The 2018-2019 season saw Penn State's football program gross over $164 million.
Michigan State University: Over $140 Million
The Spartan football program at Michigan State University is one of the most iconic and profitable in the country. Just hosting the famous Michigan State vs. University of Michigan game sees a solid chunk of money come to the university!
It doesn't hurt the team's popularity that they've claimed six National Championship titles, 11 Conference Championship titles, and three Division Championship titles. During the course of the 2018-2019 season, the Spartans' football program grossed over $140 million.
University Of Iowa: Over $151 Million
Recently, the University of Iowa's football program has been on the news for more than their statistics. In 2017, the program began what ESPN called "college football's coolest new tradition," the Kinnick Wave.
Who wouldn't want to attend a game to see the iconic Wave to the university's children's hospital? Of course, the Hawkeyes' five National Championship wins and 13 Conference Championship titles also make for a fun game! During the 2018-2019 season, the football program grossed over $151 million.
University Of Alabama: Over $164 Million
The University of Alabama's Crimson Tide is one of the most decorated and storied football programs in the country. With 11 undefeated seasons and well over 900 official victories, it's not hard to see why fans flock to Bryant–Denny Stadium.
The Crimson Tide have also secured 18 National Championship titles, 32 Conference Championship titles, and 15 Division titles. During the course of the 2018-2019 season, the University of Alabama's football program grossed over $164 million.
University Of Oklahoma: Over $163 Million
Since 1945, the University of Oklahoma has had the highest winning percentage of any football program in the country. It's no surprise, though, considering the school has seen 23 Hall of Fame members on the team.
The Oklahoma Sooners have also claimed 50 Conference Championship titles, seven National Championship titles, and seven Heisman Trophy winners. By the end of the 2018-2019 season, the University of Oklahoma's football program grossed well over $163 million.
Louisiana State University: Over $157 Million
Louisiana State University's football program has come a long way since its first season in 1893. Claiming four National Championships titles, 16 Conference Championship titles, and nine Division Championship titles, fans have no issue spending money on LSU game days.
In fact, the Fighting Tigers football program made quite a bit of revenue during the 2018-2019 season. During that season, the program wound up making over $157 million for the university.
Auburn University: Over $152 Million
When a university produces a player like Cam Newton, people are going to come to watch! Since its inaugural year in 1892, Auburn University has swiftly become one of the country's more popular football programs.
But when a team has 12 undefeated seasons, two National Championship titles, and 16 Conference Championship titles, it's probably not too difficult to fill the stands! And that can definitely be seen with the over $152 million the program grossed during the 2018-2019 season.
University Of Louisville: Over $139 Million
While the University of Louisville hasn't had a national title win, fans still can't help but go to watch the Cardinals in action. Spectators might not even be at the game to watch the players!
The University of Louisville is known for its cheerleading squad, having the largest co-ed team in the country. This team has won 15 National Titles and is a complete powerhouse. During the 2018-2019 season, the football program grossed over $139 million.
University Of Wisconsin: Over $157 Million
The Wisconsin Badgers are the proud owners of the fourth-oldest college football stadium in the country, Camp Randall Stadium. And with over 700 wins to the program, the University of Wisconsin can also proudly say it's one of the most popular.
Since its inaugural season in 1889, the Badgers have claimed three National Championship titles, 14 Conference Championship titles, and five Division Championship titles. During the 2018-2019 season, the football program grossed over $157 million.
University Of Arkansas: Over $137 Million
Since their inaugural season in 1894, the University of Arkansas has had some legendary teams, gaining quite a following of fans. As of 2021, the Razorbacks have claimed one National Championship title, 13 Conference Championship titles, and four Division Championship titles.
Whether it's to watch a rivalry game against Ole Miss or just taking in the energy of War Memorial Stadium, there's a reason why the University of Arkansas has one of the highest-grossing football programs in the country, making over $137 million during the 2018-2019 season.
University Of Kentucky: Over $150 Million
The University of Kentucky has more than one storied athletic program. And while the basketball program might be a bit more popular than football, the latter has still made waves at the school. Not to mention it's brought in a solid amount of money.
Since the Wildcats' first season in 1881, they've claimed one National Championship and two Conference Championship titles. They were able to gross over $150 million during the course of the 2018-2019 season.
University Of Tennessee: Over $143 Million
The Vols of the University of Tennessee is pretty much the textbook definition of a team that thrives with a home-field advantage. Since their inaugural season in 1891, The Vols have won 464 home games, the highest home-field total in college football history.
On top of that, the football program has claimed six National Championship titles, 16 Conference Championship titles, and 6 Division titles. During the 2018-2019 season, the program grossed over $143 million.
University Of South Carolina: Over $140 Million
The University of South Carolina's Gamecocks are an iconic college football team. Playing their home games at Williams-Brice Stadium, USC's football program has claimed one Conference title and one Division title.
But their lack of championship wins hasn't swayed fans from buying Gamecock apparel or making their way to games. Even in the 2018-2019 season, the football program was about to gross over $140 million -- and it was a losing season!
