Forbes Ranks The 20 Most Valuable College Football Programs
12 years ago

Forbes has come out with a list of this year’s twenty most valuable college football programs, and like a BCS ranking, there are expected names, a few surprises, and A LOT of SEC. Unlike a BCS ranking, Notre Dame actually deserves to be as high as they are.

1. Texas Longhorns
Current Value: $133 million
One-Year Change in Value: 3%
Football Revenue: $104 million
Football Profit: $78 million
Conference: Big 12
Head Coach: Mack Brown

2. Michigan Wolverines
Current Value: $120 million
One-Year Change in Value: 28%
Football Revenue: $85 million
Football Profit: $62 million
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Brady Hoke

3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Current Value: $103 million
One-Year Change in Value: -8%
Football Revenue: $69 million
Football Profit: $43 million
Conference: Independent
Head Coach: Brian Kelly

4. LSU Tigers
Current Value: $102 million
One-Year Change in Value: 6%
Football Revenue: $69 million
Football Profit: $45 million
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Les Miles

5. Georgia Bulldogs
Current Value: $99 million
One-Year Change in Value: 10%
Football Revenue: $75 million
Football Profit: $52 million
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Mark Richt

6. Alabama Crimson Tide
Current Value: $95 million
One-Year Change in Value: 3%
Football Revenue: $82 million
Football Profit: $45 million
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Nick Saban

7. Florida Gators
Current Value: $93 million
One-Year Change in Value: 9%
Football Revenue: $74 million
Football Profit: $51 million
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Will Muschamp

8. Auburn Tigers
Current Value: $85 million
One-Year Change in Value: -4%
Football Revenue: $77 million
Football Profit: $44 million
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Gus Malzahn

9. Tennessee Volunteers
Current Value: $84 million
One-Year Change in Value: 2%
Football Revenue: $55 million
Football Profit: $35 million
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Butch Jones

10. Arkansas Razorbacks
Current Value: $83 million
One-Year Change in Value: -7%
Football Revenue: $64 million
Football Profit: $40 million
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Bret Bielema

11. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Current Value: $82 million
One-Year Change in Value: 6%
Football Revenue: $55 million
Football Profit: $36 million
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Bo Pelini

12. Oklahoma Sooners
Current Value: $80 million
One-Year Change in Value: -8%
Football Revenue: $60 million
Football Profit: $36 million
Conference: Big 12
Head Coach: Bob Stoops

13. Penn State Nittany Lions
Current Value: $79 million
One-Year Change in Value: -21%
Football Revenue: $66 million
Football Profit: $36 million
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Bill O’Brien

14. Wisconsin Badgers
Current Value: $76 million
One-Year Change in Value: 13%
Football Revenue: $48 million
Football Profit: $24 million
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Gary Andersen

15. Oregon Ducks
Current Value: $74 million
One-Year Change in Value: N/A*
Football Revenue: $52 million
Football Profit: $32 million
Conference: Pac-12
Head Coach: Chip Kelly

16. USC Trojans
Current Value: $68 million
One-Year Change in Value: 10%
Football Revenue: $52 million
Football Profit: $29 million
Conference: Pac-12
Head Coach: Lane Kiffin

17. South Carolina Gamecocks
Current Value: $67 million
One-Year Change in Value: 5%
Football Revenue: $48 million
Football Profit: $26 million
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Steve Spurrier

18. Washington Huskies
Current Value: $65 million
One-Year Change in Value: N/A*
Football Revenue: $53 million
Football Profit: $28 million
Conference: Pac-12
Head Coach: Steve Sarkisian

19. Michigan State Spartans
Current Value: $64 million
One-Year Change in Value: 8%
Football Revenue: $50 million
Football Profit: $31 million
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Mark Dantonio

20. Ohio State Buckeyes
Current Value: $63 million
One-Year Change in Value: -20%
Football Revenue: $58 million
Football Profit: $24 million
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Urban Meyer

It’s surprising to see USC and Ohio State ranked that low, and although Ohio State’s drop in value due to their postseason ban and program sanctions explains the 20% decrease in value, that makes Penn State’s ranking even more surprising considering their way, WAY worse sanctions and scandal. As far as USC’s low ranking is concerned, I’ll just blame Lane Kiffin, because fuck it, it probably is his fault.

The University of Washington’s inclusion on the list is also surprising when you consider that schools like Texas A&M, Florida State, and Clemson didn’t make the cut, and that Washington’s football program competes directly with the professional sports market in Seattle.

Oregon is a surprise too, only insomuch as Nike is not pouring as much money into that program as we all thought, apparently.

Surprised by anything else? Enraged? Aroused!?!?!

Discuss.

[Source]

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  2. The Great Fratzby

    Penn State will likely continue to fall (-21% in one year!) over the course of their sanctions with no post-season play/major decrease in endorsements.
    I’m really surprised Washington made the Top 20.

    12 years ago at 8:52 pm
  3. Broseph_Settles

    How in the fuck is Ohio State 20 (behind michigan state)? Spartan Stadium is fucking pathetic and their program is sheer mediocrity.

    12 years ago at 10:20 pm
    1. Fraternity Lifestyle

      First of all, because Ohio State blows fucking cock and you have to convince your recruits to come with promises of free cars and tattoos.

      Second of all, in the coming years after a major scandal, it’s safe to assume that there will be a significant drop in value for a program.

      Third, MSU just came off one of the best seasons in its history. Coupled with improvements to the stadium and donor enthusiasm, it’s easy to see why we’d be ranked high. I will say I was shocked to see that as well.

      But fuck you, and fuck your shit school.

      12 years ago at 1:26 pm
    1. Jon M Fratsman

      We’ll be back, cock munch. These things come and go in cycles and in the end I promise we’ll eventually return to taking big orange shits on your school.

      12 years ago at 2:29 pm