An eye opener about where we are with money in the SEC

[Coach34]

https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2025/05/where-do-alabama-and-auburn-rank-among-most-profitable-sec-football-programs.html



"Alabama brought in the third-most revenue among the 15 public SEC football programs during Fiscal Year 2024, according to NCAA financial reports obtained by AL.com. The Crimson Tide?s $140.3 million ranked behind just Texas ($204.7 million) and Tennessee ($149 million). Auburn ranked sixth in the league revenue-wise, with $121.2 million in football revenue during the fiscal year. FY 2024 ran from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. Georgia ($133.5 million) and Oklahoma ($131.7 million) also generated more than Auburn last fiscal year. Texas A&M ranked one spot behind the Tigers, at $118.5 million in revenue.

The Tigers had been sixth in the SEC in football revenue for Fiscal Year 2023 as well. Alabama climbed up the list, after it was fifth in FY 2023.

Six of the 15 public SEC football programs (excluding Vanderbilt, which is a private school and not subject to open records requests) brought in less than $100 million during FY 2024. Those included South Carolina ($78.5 million), Ole Miss ($75.3 million), Arkansas ($72.4 million), Missouri ($56.3 million).

Mississippi State brought up the rear in revenue. The Bulldogs were the lone school in the SEC to generate less than $50 million for football, with $43.8 million.


Remember this when you blame Selmon about who we hire as coaches

[confucius say]

Do we have these numbers for basketball and baseball?

[confucius say]

Apparently, across all sports, we spent 7 million more than we made (134 million to 127 million).
Not sure if that includes the 7 figures Selmon spent to remodel his office.

https://www.al.com/sec/2025/05/where-alabama-auburn-athletics-ranked-in-sec-revenue-spending-during-fiscal-year-2024.html

[DownwardDawg]

Lol

[StarkVegasSteve]

Apparently, across all sports, we spent 7 million more than we made (134 million to 127 million).
Not sure if that includes the 7 figures Selmon spent to remodel his office.

https://www.al.com/sec/2025/05/where-alabama-auburn-athletics-ranked-in-sec-revenue-spending-during-fiscal-year-2024.html

If it got out the Cohen stench from the Bryan Building then it was well worth it.

[Coach34]

Do we have these numbers for basketball and baseball?

https://www.al.com/alabamabasketball/2024/04/where-alabama-basketball-ranked-in-sec-hoops-revenue-spending-in-fy-2023.html

Alabama moves up in the rankings when it comes to men’s basketball revenue. The Crimson Tide reported bringing in $20.6 million, which ranks third among teams currently in the SEC, fourth when factoring in Texas and Oklahoma.

Kentucky once again led the way. The Wildcats brought in $32.1 million, well over Texas, which ranked second with $23 million.

At $21.9 million, Tennessee was the only other school to bring in more revenue for men’s basketball than Alabama. Arkansas ranked just behind the Crimson Tide at $19.3 million.

Auburn sat in sixth place, earning $19.2 million in FY 2023. Mississippi State was last, with $9 million. So we basically break even in basketball

[Santiago]

What aspects of football and Basketball generate revenue? Ticket sales, luxury boxes, jerseys and licensing?

[Goldendawg]

Football and SEC money wags the dog until we put an entertaining competitive and dare I say winning program on the field again, season tickets sales and attendance overall will continue to suffer. My family has bought 8-12 season tickets for the last 58 years and even I have little hope after Arnett followed by 2-10. Continuing to hire assistant coaches to be our HC has been a failure in our history. Check it out. The only two success stories in these hires in my lifetime have been Tyler and Mullen, however my hope is that Lebby can be another successful exception in our unprepared hires. Hail State!

[Cooterpoot]

But, but, but we a baseball school

[Santiago]

But, but, but we a baseball school

Since every million counts.... how much do we additionally generate if 1-2 additional condo buildings (at least 25 units) are built at the baseball field and also leased out during football season , and basketball season.

[Santiago]

How much does a game with MSU interlocking logo generate in sales of gear? Even though I am not a fan of it, I get the aspect of making money in business and the love making money makes interlocking tolerable.
How much does adding baseball condos add to ROI?

Basically, where are the ways we at least churn out some millions.

[Cooterpoot]

Since every million counts.... how much do we additionally generate if 1-2 additional condo buildings (at least 25 units) are built at the baseball field and also leased out during football season , and basketball season.

No idea, but not a ton. Look, our licensing group hurts us, our poor support hurts us, our negligence a few years ago by our AD hurts us, our leadership at the top of the university hurts us, location hurts us, the IHL hurts us, terrible marketing hurts us. They hurt us this year with a terrible ticket plan and a bad schedule by the SEC. If football dies, this university dies.

[Goldendawg]

Concerning update on season ticket sales. Just talked to my hardcore Mississippi State fan "multiple season tickets in football, basketball, and baseball". He participated in the reseating option for 4 of his 8 football season tickets. He said the amount of seats available in section 4 is very alarming and adjacent seats available in sections 3 and 5 is even much worse. It is bad, but with our perhaps "Maroon colored glasses" he felt that we have reached the bottom this year and with Lebby continuing to improve our roster and a more favorable schedule in 2027 with fewer blue bloods there is hope.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Concerning update on season ticket sales. Just talked to my hardcore Mississippi State fan "multiple season tickets in football, basketball, and baseball". He participated in the reseating option for 4 of his 8 football season tickets. He said the amount of seats available in section 4 is very alarming and adjacent seats available in sections 3 and 5 is even much worse. It is bad, but with our perhaps "Maroon colored glasses" he felt that we have reached the bottom this year and with Lebby continuing to improve our roster and a more favorable schedule in 2027 with fewer blue bloods there is hope.

Another problem that programs, and not just ours, are running into is lack of premium seating options. COVID kind of spoiled people into wanting those premium seating options. We just do not have a whole lot of that. The East Side Club level is outdated and overcrowded right now. There's constantly kids running around as well. The scoreboard club has more space and is obviously newer, but we need about 3 more scoreboard clubs.

[parabrave]

Concerning update on season ticket sales. Just talked to my hardcore Mississippi State fan "multiple season tickets in football, basketball, and baseball". He participated in the reseating option for 4 of his 8 football season tickets. He said the amount of seats available in section 4 is very alarming and adjacent seats available in sections 3 and 5 is even much worse. It is bad, but with our perhaps "Maroon colored glasses" he felt that we have reached the bottom this year and with Lebby continuing to improve our roster and a more favorable schedule in 2027 with fewer blue bloods there is hope.

My Bro in law whose family has had the same tickets since the late 50s said is seriously thinking of not renewing., Had enough of spend more spend more and not seeing any positive effect of it. And he is sick of what is happening to the entire college product.

[EdwardDrayton]

What are the main sources of revenue these schools have that we do not???

[Coach34]

Advertising and Sponsors

30-40K more buying tickets per game

[cheewgumm]

I think the long term answer is

1) Starkville population has to grow

2) Only way that happens is if jobs are brought to the area

50k population in Starkville should be the immediate goal.

Dont think University can change this much, though they could help in promoting economic activity etc to draw more jobs.

[CaptainObvious]

I think the long term answer is

1) Starkville population has to grow

2) Only way that happens is if jobs are brought to the area

50k population in Starkville should be the immediate goal.

Dont think University can change this much, though they could help in promoting economic activity etc to draw more jobs.

What is the short term answer since the "long term answer" is never going to happen?

[cheewgumm]

What is the short term answer since the "long term answer" is never going to happen?

You?re just in the same boat you?ve been in since the beginning of time.

Unable to compete with big boys because of money.

No big deal. No change.

[BeardoMSU]

No idea, but not a ton. Look, our licensing group hurts us, our poor support hurts us, our negligence a few years ago by our AD hurts us, our leadership at the top of the university hurts us, location hurts us, the IHL hurts us, terrible marketing hurts us. They hurt us this year with a terrible ticket plan and a bad schedule by the SEC. If football dies, this university dies.

Jesus this is bleak.

[SPMT]

You?re just in the same boat you?ve been in since the beginning of time.

Unable to compete with big boys because of money.

No big deal. No change.

Same thing it?s always been.

[Todd4State]

Concerning update on season ticket sales. Just talked to my hardcore Mississippi State fan "multiple season tickets in football, basketball, and baseball". He participated in the reseating option for 4 of his 8 football season tickets. He said the amount of seats available in section 4 is very alarming and adjacent seats available in sections 3 and 5 is even much worse. It is bad, but with our perhaps "Maroon colored glasses" he felt that we have reached the bottom this year and with Lebby continuing to improve our roster and a more favorable schedule in 2027 with fewer blue bloods there is hope.

The football schedule definitely screws us without question.

It's crazy because you mention 2027 and that season we have the Egg Bowl, Alabama, and LSU all at home I think. Those are all games that should draw well and I think getting the Egg Bowl off of Thanksgiving will help the attendance there. But to your point about bluebloods we have Vanderbilt, Kentucky, and South Carolina on the schedule that year- ironically just like 1998-1999. Lebby should have that season circled for sure and we should go all in at that point.

[Coach34]

Since every million counts.... how much do we additionally generate if 1-2 additional condo buildings (at least 25 units) are built at the baseball field and also leased out during football season , and basketball season.

Considering the millions it would cost to build- it would be at least 7-8 years before we started turning a profit on building more

Thats our problem in baseball now- we used to turn a profit but now with the new stadium we are paying off- we are losing money

[Santiago]

I think the long term answer is

1) Starkville population has to grow

2) Only way that happens is if jobs are brought to the area

50k population in Starkville should be the immediate goal.

Dont think University can change this much, though they could help in promoting economic activity etc to draw more jobs.

The direct flights to Columbus at least help out some. Or should, if we can win some games.

[Hot Rock]

Let's face it, we are not an SEC school when it comes to money. We just aren't. Fans thinking we can compete year in and year out in NIL or paying $10,000,000 coaches has not been paying attention.

We are last and it's not close. Don't even look at Vandy, they got so much $$$, they don't need to generate anything. It's just whether they care or not about sports and they don't care enough to spend a lot.

Mississippi State... where it just means less cause we have less so we are forced into apathy whether we like it or not. I have seen Mississippi State be good, maybe we can find our way back to at least respectability. I think all three major sports have the ability to field competitive teams but it will not be easy.

[SPMT]

Considering the millions it would cost to build- it would be at least 7-8 years before we started turning a profit on building more

Thats our problem in baseball now- we used to turn a profit but now with the new stadium we are paying off- we are losing money

Who cares if we turn a profit if the loss is due to interest expense and depreciation. That will shake out.

[StarkVegasSteve]

The direct flights to Columbus at least help out some. Or should, if we can win some games.

Living in Dallas, the direct flight from Love to GTR is huge. Although I usually just fly into Memphis and have someone come get me, I will probably start to use that flight a bit more.

[BuckyIsAB****]

The right football coach makes the entire university better. We have had 2 good ones since 2003. Im sorry to the academia people, but it?s just the way it is. Math tests dont sell tickets. As soon as we get the right football coach things will look brighter around here. I personally do not think Lebby is it but this off-season and spring was a lot better than his last one.

[Homedawg]

Since every million counts.... how much do we additionally generate if 1-2 additional condo buildings (at least 25 units) are built at the baseball field and also leased out during football season , and basketball season.

They are leased by the year.

[Cooterpoot]

I think Lebby wins 5 games this year if we stay healthy and with a lot of luck, we could win 6. But we all know, luck hates us and our QB is made of glass and we'll all have to drink heavily to survive September.

[Homedawg]

Living in Dallas, the direct flight from Love to GTR is huge. Although I usually just fly into Memphis and have someone come get me, I will probably start to use that flight a bit more.

The flight from Dallas to gtr yesterday was $247 round trip

[gtowndawg]

Just to make sure I'm not overthinking this, we came in last for football revenue in the same year we came in last in the actual standings (and had the worst season on record in 30 years). And this is a surprise somehow?

[Ranchdawg]

The flight from Dallas to gtr yesterday was $247 round trip

Wow! That is dirt cheap. I may have to start flying out of the gtr to Dallas to make my connecting flights.

[Coach34]

Just to make sure I'm not overthinking this, we came in last for football revenue in the same year we came in last in the actual standings (and had the worst season on record in 30 years). And this is a surprise somehow?

The surprise is how wide the gap is getting. We actually had 3MM more revenue last season over 2023 even with the bad season. Mississippi bringing in $30MM more in revenue than us means that the programs are no longer about equal

[Pinto]

The flight from Dallas to gtr yesterday was $247 round trip

Daily flights from DFW to Tupelo as well.

[gtowndawg]

The surprise is how wide the gap is getting. We actually had 3MM more revenue last season over 2023 even with the bad season. Mississippi bringing in $30MM more in revenue than us means that the programs are no longer about equal

I agree the gap between us and Ole Miss is concerning. That's scary and it's a reflection on leadership on many levels. The gap between us and Texas and Bama is just whatever to me. They are totally out of our league in every way and always have been. But again, to your point, the gap between us and Ole Miss is frightening since we've been on the same level for decades until recently.

[StarkVegasSteve]

I agree the gap between us and Ole Miss is concerning. That's scary and it's a reflection on leadership on many levels. The gap between us and Texas and Bama is just whatever to me. They are totally out of our league in every way and always have been. But again, to your point, the gap between us and Ole Miss is frightening since we've been on the same level for decades until recently.

That's the one that is inexcusable. It also just shows how aligned they are from the President's office all the way down to the $5 fan.

[Coursesuper]

That's the one that is inexcusable. It also just shows how aligned they are from the President's office all the way down to the $5 fan.

We are paying the inevitable price for infighting and the hiring of an unqualified AD and it's not over yet.

[Goldendawg]

Just to make sure I'm not overthinking this, we came in last for football revenue in the same year we came in last in the actual standings (and had the worst season on record in 30 years). And this is a surprise somehow?

On the job training AD (again), who hires on the job training HC (again), who hires on the job training DC. Most people on this board could take the millions being spent and win 2 OOC games and go 0-8 in the SEC. Only successful asst coaches that we have hired to be HC in my 70 year lifetime are Tyler and Mullen. Our hiring decisions from the "Powers that Be" is pitiful, yet we keep doing it expecting different results No wonder we have been a losing, hard to watch program much of my life. Hoping '25 is competitive, interesting to watch and we win our share.

[StateDawg44]

The surprise is how wide the gap is getting. We actually had 3MM more revenue last season over 2023 even with the bad season. Mississippi bringing in $30MM more in revenue than us means that the programs are no longer about equal

It's really not though. You can see it on the field and momentum or lack thereof.

We're cooked in FB. 6-7 wins or maybe 8 as the goal on a good year just isn't appealing.

[DownwardDawg]

That's the one that is inexcusable. It also just shows how aligned they are from the President's office all the way down to the $5 fan.

We have had weak leadership for quite a while now.

[Cooterpoot]

We have had weak leadership for quite a while now.

No we haven't, that Grant Museum is such a prize and that run down hotel we just took over? Pfffftt, the important things man! Don't forget we're about to take on our second area school too!

[R2Dawg]

It's really not though. You can see it on the field and momentum or lack thereof.

We're cooked in FB. 6-7 wins or maybe 8 as the goal on a good year just isn't appealing.

This has been MSU football our entire existence. Nothing has changed.

Back to OP, we have always had least money in SEC so nothing has changed there either, no one saw the dollars or put it out front like this before.

But we have money, our facilities are very good not just sports but overall as good as any in SEC.

MSU will be fine the gloom and doom just ain't as bad as so many think.

[Coach34]

This has been MSU football our entire existence. Nothing has changed.

But we have sucked for most of our existence except for the last 30 years. And we did that by overcoming our lack of money with being a development program. Even Jackie did a great job developing Mississippi talent before Mullen did. We have now lost the developmental aspect because now you develop them and they leave.

[SPMT]

But we have sucked for most of our existence except for the last 30 years. And we did that by overcoming our lack of money with being a development program. Even Jackie did a great job developing Mississippi talent before Mullen did. We have now lost the developmental aspect because now you develop them and they leave.

Just do whatever the 17 ole Miss is doing.

[maroonmania]

First off, if Lebby shows he can put a decent product on the field the revenue will go up. Secondly, how whacked out stupid is college football that with over 43 million dollars you aren't even in the game any more.

[gtowndawg]

It's really not though. You can see it on the field and momentum or lack thereof.

We're cooked in FB. 6-7 wins or maybe 8 as the goal on a good year just isn't appealing.

I don't know man, 8 wins sounds pretty freakin' amazing to me right now.

[Cooterpoot]

I believe Lebby will win some games but we're still a couple years away from more than 4, 5 or 6.

[StateDawg44]

I don't know man, 8 wins sounds pretty freakin' amazing to me right now.

Yes compared to last year I agree.

But in the grand scheme of things 8 wins gets us no where near the playoffs.

[Political Hack]

Hard to sit at the same table very long with the short stack... brutal.

[BrunswickDawg]

Yes compared to last year I agree.

But in the grand scheme of things 8 wins gets us no where near the playoffs.

It takes a perfect storm to get us anywhere near the playoffs - that's still nothing new.
The two best teams we had post WWII - 1999 and 2014 - needed all of the stars to align to get us within sniffing distance of championships.
So, if you are an MSU fan and believe that we should compete regularly for more than 9 wins, you are gonna need a truck load alcohol.

[Coach34]

It takes a perfect storm to get us anywhere near the playoffs - that's still nothing new.
The two best teams we had post WWII - 1999 and 2014 - needed all of the stars to align to get us within sniffing distance of championships.
So, if you are an MSU fan and believe that we should compete regularly for more than 9 wins, you are gonna need a truck load alcohol.

left out 1980 but your point is dead on

[gtowndawg]

Yes compared to last year I agree.

But in the grand scheme of things 8 wins gets us no where near the playoffs.

I want big seaons like anyone else but if we are 8-4 in this SEC we are a SOLID top 25 team.

[Cooterpoot]

I want big seaons like anyone else but if we are 8-4 in this SEC we are a SOLID top 25 team.

The thing that makes that hard are the G5 schools and schools in weaker conference making the playoff. It's playoffs or bust, nobody is going to watch a bowl game in Memphis.

[gtowndawg]

The thing that makes that hard are the G5 schools and schools in weaker conference making the playoff. It's playoffs or bust, nobody is going to watch a bowl game in Memphis.

I agree and looking at in a one year perspective that is true. My point if we can get to be a 8-4 team (Top 25) consistently, then we are at least within striking distance of a special year and a playoff spot.

[confucius say]

The football schedule definitely screws us without question.

It's crazy because you mention 2027 and that season we have the Egg Bowl, Alabama, and LSU all at home I think. Those are all games that should draw well and I think getting the Egg Bowl off of Thanksgiving will help the attendance there. But to your point about bluebloods we have Vanderbilt, Kentucky, and South Carolina on the schedule that year- ironically just like 1998-1999. Lebby should have that season circled for sure and we should go all in at that point.

That's if we don't go to 9 games starting in 2026. Which would suck because the schedules would completely be overhauled and we would miss out on weaker years (26 and 27) after going through tougher years (24 and 25).

[Coach34]

Read where ESPN is offering another 50-80MM if the SEC goes to a 9 game conference schedule. It’s going to happen and soon

[R2Dawg]

But we have sucked for most of our existence except for the last 30 years. And we did that by overcoming our lack of money with being a development program. Even Jackie did a great job developing Mississippi talent before Mullen did. We have now lost the developmental aspect because now you develop them and they leave.

Agree, that is how we won. Transfer is game changer for us but OP was about us not having money as reason we had no hope. My post was that we've always not had money but won.

Not being able to keep players is a big issue not just for us. At same time, we have to go get players just like others.