For some time now, the world of collegiate athletics has been as much about the business as it has been about the competition on the field. In order to boast the best facilities and coaching staffs, athletic programs have to stand on business.
The world of collegiate athletics is constantly evolving. Athletic departments will soon pay players directly. Name, image, and likeness efforts like 1Oklahoma will be moved in-house with full backing and support from the universities. Removing the number of on-field coaches a team can have creates the opportunity for programs to field more staff and get more out of their analyst roles.
Oklahoma’s move to the Southeastern Conference was about being in a position to better compete in the new reality of college athletics. The Sooners have already seen a bump in recruiting rankings since the announcement of their move to the SEC in the summer of 2021.
How much of an increase in total operating revenue they see is still to be determined. But as it stands, even before playing a game in the SEC, the Oklahoma Sooners were among the programs to earn the most revenue in the 2022-2023 academic year, according to Sportico.
Of note, that was Brent Venables’ first season at Oklahoma, and the excitement surrounding his arrival was palpable. At the same time, a 6-7 finish that year took a little wind out of the sails. But the Sooners still saw a $12 million increase in revenue from 2021-2022 to 2022-2023.
Important to Note from the list
- Private schools and service academies are not required to disclose financials. So USC, Notre Dame, Duke, TCU, and the Armed Forces academies won’t show up.
- Of the top 25 in total operating revenue, just three schools will compete outside of the Big Ten or the SEC in 2024-2025.
Here’s a look at the top 25 football programs in total operating revenue for the 2022-2023 academic year.
25
Arkansas Razorbacks
![](https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/02/USATSI_21384015.jpg)
Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Total Operating Revenues: $72,459,071
2022 Record: 7-6
2023 Record: 4-8
2024 Projected Win Total: 4.5
Get more Arkansas Razorbacks news, analysis, and opinions on RazorbacksWire.
24
Ole Miss Rebels
![](https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/USATSI_22196552.jpg)
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Total Operating Revenues: $72,504,708
2022 Record: 8-5
2023 Record: 11-2
2024 Projected Win Total: 9.5
Get more College Football news, analysis, and opinions on College Sports Wire
23
Clemson Tigers
![](https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/USATSI_21817379.jpg)
Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
Total Operating Revenues: $76,869,491
2022 Record: 11-3
2023 Record: 9-4
2024 Projected Win Total: 9.5
Get more Clemson Tigers news, analysis, and opinions on Clemson Wire.
22
Minnesota Golden Gophers
![](https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/11/USATSI_19420335.jpg)
Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Total Operating Revenues: $77,214,620
2022 Record: 9-4
2023 Record: 6-7
2024 Projected Win Total: 5.5
Get more College Football news, analysis, and opinions on College Sports Wire
21
Oregon Ducks
![](https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/USATSI_21881191.jpg)
Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Total Operating Revenues: $79,821,060
2022 Record: 10-3
2023 Record: 12-2
2024 Projected Win Total: 10.5
Get more Oregon Ducks news, analysis, and opinions on DucksWire.
20
Texas Tech Red Raiders $80,274,571
![](https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/1772608199.jpg)
Photo by Josh Hedges/Getty Images
Total Operating Revenues: $80,274,571
2022 Record: 8-5
2023 Record: 7-6
2024 Projected Win Total: 7.5
Get more College Football news, analysis, and opinions on College Sports Wire
19
Iowa Hawkeyes
![](https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/USATSI_22206368.jpg)
Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports
Total Operating Revenues: $87,515,944
2022 Record: 8-5
2023 Record: 10-4
2024 Projected Win Total: 7.5
Get more Iowa Hawkeyes news, analysis, and opinions on HawkeyesWire.
18
Texas A&M Aggies
![](https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/07/USATSI_21435553.jpg)
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Total Operating Revenues: $88,261,768
2022 Record: 5-7
2023 Record: 7-6
2024 Projected Win Total: 8.5
Get more Texas A&M Aggies news, analysis, and opinions on AggiesWire
17
Michigan State Spartans
![](https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/07/USATSI_17083122.jpg)
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Total Operating Revenues: $90,009,120
2022 Record: 5-7
2023 Record: 4-8
2024 Projected Win Total: 4.5
Get more Michigan State Spartans news, analysis, and opinions on Spartans Wire.
16
Florida State Seminoles
![](https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/USATSI_21757272.jpg)
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Total Operating Revenues: $91,476,275
2022 Record: 10-3
2023 Record: 13-1
2024 Projected Win Total: 9.5
Get more Florida State Seminoles news, analysis, and opinions at FSUWire.
15
Utah Utes
![](https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/USATSI_21728904.jpg)
Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
Total Operating Revenues: $92,544,582
2022 Record: 10-4
2023 Record: 8-5
2024 Projected Win Total: 9.5
Get more College Football news, analysis, and opinions on College Sports Wire
14
Florida Gators
![](https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/10/USATSI_17259455.jpg)
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Total Operating Revenues: $98,974,588
2022 Record: 7-6
2023 Record: 5-7
2024 Projected Win Total: 4.5
Get more Florida Gators news, analysis, and opinions on GatorsWire.
13
Washinton Huskies
![](https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/USATSI_21764651.jpg)
D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports
Total Operating Revenues: $101,422,710
2022 Record: 11-2
2023 Record: 14-1
2024 Projected Win Total: 6.5
Get more Washington Huskies news, analysis, and opinions on UWHuskiesWire.
12
Wisconsin Badgers
![](https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/USATSI_21973159.jpg)
Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports
Total Operating Revenues: $104,221,920
2022 Record: 7-6
2023 Record: 7-6
2024 Projected Win Total: 6.5
Get more Wisconsin Badgers news, analysis, and opinions on Badgers Wire
11
LSU Tigers
![](https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/09/USATSI_21433742.jpg)
Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Total Operating Revenues: $105,677,694
2022 Record: 10-4
2023 Record: 10-3
2024 Projected Win Total: 9.5
Get more LSU Tigers news, analysis, and opinions on LSUTigersWire.
10
Penn State Nittany Lions
![](https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/10/USATSI_19284951.jpg)
Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Total Operating Revenues: $109,607,108
2022 Record: 11-2
2023 Record: 10-3
2024 Projected Win Total: 9.5
Get more Penn State news, analysis, and opinions on Nittany Lions Wire
9
Nebraska Cornhuskers
![](https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/USATSI_21962442.jpg)
Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Total Operating Revenues: $122,800,331
2022 Record: 4-8
2023 Record: 5-7
2024 Projected Win Total: 7.5
Get more Nebraska Cornhuskers news, analysis, and opinions on Cornhuskers Wire
8
Auburn Tigers
![](https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/USATSI_17063850.jpg)
John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Total Operating Revenues: $126,735,046
2022 Record: 5-7
2023 Record: 6-7
2024 Projected Win Total: 7.5
Get more Auburn Tigers news, analysis, and opinions on AuburnWire.
7
Ohio State Buckeyes
![](https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/USATSI_21648113.jpg)
Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Total Operating Revenues: $127,355,182
2022 Record: 11-2
2023 Record: 11-2
2024 Projected Win Total: 10.5
Get more Ohio State Buckeyes news, analysis, and opinions on BuckeyesWire
6
Alabama Crimson Tide
![](https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/07/USATSI_21646652.jpg)
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Total Operating Revenues: $129,301,585
2022 Record: 11-2
2023 Record: 12-2
2024 Projected Win Total: 9.5
Get more Alabama Crimson Tide news, analysis, and opinions on RollTideWire.
5
Tennessee Volunteers
![](https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/07/USATSI_21970892.jpg)
Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Total Operating Revenues: $134,901,896
2022 Record: 11-2
2023 Record: 9-4
2024 Projected Win Total: 8.5
Get more Tennessee Volunteers news, analysis, and opinions on VolsWire
4
Michigan Wolverines
![](https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/USATSI_22251619.jpg)
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Total Operating Revenues: $142,767,461
2022 Record: 13-1
2023 Record: 15-0
2024 Projected Win Total: 8.5
Get more Michigan Wolverines news, analysis, and opinions on Wolverines Wire.
3
Oklahoma Sooners
![](https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/09/USATSI_21486316.jpg)
Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
Total Operating Revenues: $143,123,409
2022 Record: 6-7
2023 Record: 10-3
2024 Projected Win Total: 7.5
Get more Oklahoma Sooners news, analysis, and opinions on SoonersWire
2
Georgia Bulldogs
![](https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/12/USATSI_19557290.jpg)
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Total Operating Revenues: $152,739,786
2022 Record: 15-0
2023 Record: 13-1
2024 Projected Win Total: 10.5
Get more Georgia Bulldogs news, analysis, and opinions on UGAWire.
1
Texas Longhorns
![](https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/USATSI_21540537.jpg)
Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Total Operating Revenues: $182,957,539
2022 Record: 8-5
2023 Record: 12-2
2024 Projected Win Total: 10.5
Get more Texas Longhorns news, analysis, and opinions on Longhorns Wire.
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