Link: http://www.cleveland.com/expo/erry-2018/03/a9ad5f0d13/big_tens_16_billion_sports_emp.html
Inside the Big Ten's $1.7 billion sports empire; Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, others ranked for revenue, spending, more
by Rich Exner, Cleveland.com
CLEVELAND - Big Ten sports are big money -- close to $1.7 billion of it in a given year.
No Big Ten athletic department raises and spends more money than Ohio State and Michigan -- approaching $200 million each. But none of the programs are small.
So much money is collected from TV, ticket sales, and donors that -- in a rarity in college sports -- some of the Big Ten's biggest athletic programs operate without any subsidy from student fees or other non-athletic university sports.
A big part of the bill is the cost of scholarships for student-athletes. But more money is spent on coaches than on those scholarships.
Financial reports schools are required to file with the NCAA provide some insight. Cleveland.com gathered the latest reports submitted within the last few months, for the 2016-2017 school year.
Scroll below for details about each program.
The schools are ranked in order of total athletic revenue. Below the rankings are side-by-side comparisons for several categories. Details are provided for 13 schools. The 14th, Northwestern, declined to provide its financial report to Cleveland.com.
One note about the coaching pay and benefits listed: totals include wages, bonuses, allowances, speaking fees, retirement stipends, memberships, media income, tuition reimbursement, and earned deferred compensation. And, if a job change occurred, totals for both coaches are combined.
Note: Recent additions Maryland, Nebraska and Rutgers did not yet receive full shares of Big Ten revenue during this reporting period
13. PURDUE - $84.8 million
Total Revenue: $84,841,133
Athletes: 483
Scholarships: $11,223,518 spent on 249.95 scholarships split among 365 athletes
Coaching Pay and Benefits: $16,105,191
Severance to Coaches or Staff: $2,052,290
=======================================
12. MARYLAND - $94.9 million
Total Revenue: $94,881,357
Athletes: 517
Scholarships: $16,269,593 spent on 286.29 scholarships split among 436 athletes
Coaching Pay and Benefits: $17,345,547
Severance to Coaches or Staff: $156,330
=======================================
11. RUTGERS - $96.9 million
Total Revenue: $96,883,027
Athletes: 628
Scholarships: $14,006,618 spent on 300.79 scholarships split among 498 athletes
Coaching Pay and Benefits: $16,019,723
Severance to Coaches or Staff: $5,416,948
=======================================
10. ILLINOIS - $97.4 million
Total Revenue: $97,447,731
Athletes: 454
Scholarships: $12,532,723 spent on 260.74 scholarships split among 474 athletes
(Note: Illinois reported more athletes receiving at least partial scholarships by sport than the total number of unique athletes at the school; some may have received scholarships for more than one team.)
Coaching Pay and Benefits: $15,125,182
Severance to Coaches or Staff: $1,228,113
=======================================
9. INDIANA - $106.1 million
Total Revenue: $106,139,192
Athletes: 633
Scholarships: $15,866,381 spent on 306.5 scholarships split among 482 athletes
Coaching Pay and Benefits: $18,695,723
Severance to Coaches or Staff: $3,092,292
=======================================
8. MINNESOTA - $116.4 million
Total Revenue: $116,376,862
Athletes: 740
Scholarships: $12,154,640 spent on 331.67 scholarships split among 539 athletes
Coaching Pay and Benefits: $20,826,744
Severance to Coaches or Staff: $3,902,782
=======================================
7. NEBRASKA - $120.2 million
Total Revenue: $120,205,090
Athletes: 589
Scholarships: $11,836,616 spent on 300.49 scholarships among 465 athletes
Coaching Pay and Benefits: $17,953,170
Severance to Coaches or Staff: $2,013,155
=======================================
6. MICHIGAN STATE - $126 million
Total Revenue: $126,021,377
Athletes: 713
Scholarships: $15,090,350 spent on 328.8 scholarships split among 513 athletes
Coaching Pay and Benefits: $20,930,050
Severance to Coaches or Staff: $48,443
=======================================
5. IOWA - $130.7 million
Total Revenue: $130,681,467
Athletes: 682
Scholarships: $12,623,711 spent on 297.81 scholarships split among 467 athletes
Coaching Pay and Benefits: $21,919,960
Severance to Coaches or Staff: $3,895,387
=======================================
4. WISCONSIN - $143.4 million
Total Revenue: $143,420,668
Athletes: 775
Scholarships: $16,324,620 spent on 340.95 scholarships split among 517 athletes
Coaching Pay and Benefits: $18,437,364
Severance to Coaches or Staff: $628,669
=======================================
3. PENN STATE - $144 million
Total Revenue: $144,017,055
Athletes: 820
Scholarships: $20,084,737 spent on 370.21 scholarships split among 940 athletes
Coaching Pay and Benefits: $25,458,059
Severance to Coaches or Staff: $188,066
=======================================
2. MICHIGAN - $185.2 million
Total Revenue: $185,173,184
Athletes: 905
Scholarships: $25,123,276 spent on 384.93 scholarships split among 624 athletes
Coaching Pay and Benefits: $28,816,517
Severance to Coaches or Staff: $1,061,844
=======================================
1. OHIO STATE - $185.4 million
Total Revenue: $185,409,602
Athletes: 1,011
Scholarships: $20,071,376 spent on 442.33 scholarships split among 730 athletes
Coaching Pay and Benefits: $31,837,126
Severance to Coaches or Staff: $241,200
=======================================
Side-by-Side Ranking for Revenue
Ohio State ($185.4 million) edged out Michigan ($185.2 million) for the top spot in athletic department revenue.
Sports at both Ohio State and Michigan generated more than enough money to cover the athletic bills.
On the high-end for subsidies (included in the revenue totals) were Rutgers ($11.8 million in student fees and $21.3 million in other school support) and Maryland ($12 million in student fees and $2.5 million on other university support). Both of these schools are recent additions to the Big Ten and do not yet receive full shares of conference revenue.
The Biggest Gates
Ticket revenue at Ohio State ($61.6 million) and Michigan ($55.3 million) dwarfed the totals for all other schools in the league. Next highest was Nebraska at $37.2 million. Purdue was last at $9.2 million.
Corporate, Individual and Club Donations
Athletic departments at Michigan ($38.1 million) and Ohio State ($37.6 million) each raised nearly $40 million in donations from corporations, individuals, clubs and others during the 2016-2017 school year -- five times what Rutgers ($7.1 million) reported raising.
The Most Teams and Athletes
Ohio State fields 36 sports teams, more than any other Big Ten school. A league-high 1,011 athletes were on those Buckeye teams during 2016-2017. Penn State fields 31 teams, the second-most, and Michigan is third with 29 teams. On the low side, Purdue and Maryland each field 20 teams.
The Cost of Scholarships
The value of athletic scholarships provided by Michigan ($25.1 million) topped the Big Ten. The amount is a product of two factors: the number of athletes on scholarship and the cost of attending each school. Scholarships are a big expense item. But each school spent more on coaches pay and benefits than the value of scholarships for their student-athletes.
Spending on Coaches
Ohio State tops the Big Ten in providing $31.8 million in salaries and benefits to its head coaches and assistant coaches, double that of Illinois. There are two reasons: Ohio State pays more than most Big Ten schools, and it has the most teams.
Head Coach Ranking
This may come as a surprise to Ohio State football fans, but Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer was third in the Big Ten for pay and benefits reported for the 2016-2017 school year, behind Iowa's Kirk Ferentz and Michigan's Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh's pay, bonuses and benefits totaled $6.1 million. Ferentz received $5.8 million and Meyer $5.5 million.
As noted earlier, the totals are what each school reported to the NCAA for coaching pay and benefits during the 2016-2017 school year. This includes wages, bonuses, allowances, speaking fees, retirement stipends, memberships, media income, tuition reimbursement, and earned deferred compensation. And, if there is a coaching change, the totals are for both coaches during the time period.
The Pay Scale for Women's Basketball Coaches
Basketball is the top-paying position for women's head coaches in the Big Ten, though just three jobs topped $1 million in salary and benefits: those held by Vivian Stringer at Rutgers ($1.14 million), Kevin McGuff at Ohio State ($1.17 million) and Brenda Frese at Maryland ($1.21 million).
Inside the Big Ten's $1.7 billion sports empire; Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, others ranked for revenue, spending, more
by Rich Exner, Cleveland.com
CLEVELAND - Big Ten sports are big money -- close to $1.7 billion of it in a given year.
No Big Ten athletic department raises and spends more money than Ohio State and Michigan -- approaching $200 million each. But none of the programs are small.
So much money is collected from TV, ticket sales, and donors that -- in a rarity in college sports -- some of the Big Ten's biggest athletic programs operate without any subsidy from student fees or other non-athletic university sports.
A big part of the bill is the cost of scholarships for student-athletes. But more money is spent on coaches than on those scholarships.
Financial reports schools are required to file with the NCAA provide some insight. Cleveland.com gathered the latest reports submitted within the last few months, for the 2016-2017 school year.
Scroll below for details about each program.
The schools are ranked in order of total athletic revenue. Below the rankings are side-by-side comparisons for several categories. Details are provided for 13 schools. The 14th, Northwestern, declined to provide its financial report to Cleveland.com.
One note about the coaching pay and benefits listed: totals include wages, bonuses, allowances, speaking fees, retirement stipends, memberships, media income, tuition reimbursement, and earned deferred compensation. And, if a job change occurred, totals for both coaches are combined.
Note: Recent additions Maryland, Nebraska and Rutgers did not yet receive full shares of Big Ten revenue during this reporting period
13. PURDUE - $84.8 million
Total Revenue: $84,841,133
- Ticket Revenue: $9,222,191
- Contributions: $21,679,168
- Subsidy from school or student fees: $0
Sports Teams: 20- Contributions: $21,679,168
- Subsidy from school or student fees: $0
Athletes: 483
Scholarships: $11,223,518 spent on 249.95 scholarships split among 365 athletes
Coaching Pay and Benefits: $16,105,191
- Head football coach: $2,939,352
- Head men's basketball coach: $2,789,022
- Head women's basketball coach: $792,625
- Next highest-paid women's head coach: Volleyball - $271,875
Staff Pay & Benefits: $17,240,179- Head men's basketball coach: $2,789,022
- Head women's basketball coach: $792,625
- Next highest-paid women's head coach: Volleyball - $271,875
Severance to Coaches or Staff: $2,052,290
=======================================
12. MARYLAND - $94.9 million
Total Revenue: $94,881,357
- Ticket Revenue: $15,291,690
- Contributions: $12,281,532
- Subsidy from school or student fees: $14,473,659 (included in revenue above)
Sports Teams: 20- Contributions: $12,281,532
- Subsidy from school or student fees: $14,473,659 (included in revenue above)
Athletes: 517
Scholarships: $16,269,593 spent on 286.29 scholarships split among 436 athletes
Coaching Pay and Benefits: $17,345,547
- Head football coach: $2,520,882
- Head men's basketball coach: $2,747,270
- Head women's basketball coach: $1209,563
- Next highest-paid women's head coach: Field Hockey: $241,025
Staff Pay & Benefits: $16,318,293- Head men's basketball coach: $2,747,270
- Head women's basketball coach: $1209,563
- Next highest-paid women's head coach: Field Hockey: $241,025
Severance to Coaches or Staff: $156,330
=======================================
11. RUTGERS - $96.9 million
Total Revenue: $96,883,027
- Ticket Revenue: $12,824,201
- Contributions: $7,128,280
- Subsidy from school or student fees: $33,087,478 (included in revenue listed above)
Sports Teams: 24- Contributions: $7,128,280
- Subsidy from school or student fees: $33,087,478 (included in revenue listed above)
Athletes: 628
Scholarships: $14,006,618 spent on 300.79 scholarships split among 498 athletes
Coaching Pay and Benefits: $16,019,723
- Head football coach: $2,391,994
- Head men's basketball coach: $1,947,299
- Head women's basketball coach: $1,138,353
- Next highest-paid women's head coach: Soccer: $238,244
Staff Pay & Benefits: $17,411,145- Head men's basketball coach: $1,947,299
- Head women's basketball coach: $1,138,353
- Next highest-paid women's head coach: Soccer: $238,244
Severance to Coaches or Staff: $5,416,948
=======================================
10. ILLINOIS - $97.4 million
Total Revenue: $97,447,731
- Ticket Revenue: $12,825,263
- Contributions: $23,831,522
- Subsidy from school or student fees: $3,281,700 (included in revenue listed above)
Sports Teams: 21- Contributions: $23,831,522
- Subsidy from school or student fees: $3,281,700 (included in revenue listed above)
Athletes: 454
Scholarships: $12,532,723 spent on 260.74 scholarships split among 474 athletes
(Note: Illinois reported more athletes receiving at least partial scholarships by sport than the total number of unique athletes at the school; some may have received scholarships for more than one team.)
Coaching Pay and Benefits: $15,125,182
- Head football coach: $3,197,713
- Head men's basketball coach: $1,690,563
- Head women's basketball coach: $499,314
- Next highest-paid women's head coach: Volleyball - $265,671
Staff Pay & Benefits: $16,272,679- Head men's basketball coach: $1,690,563
- Head women's basketball coach: $499,314
- Next highest-paid women's head coach: Volleyball - $265,671
Severance to Coaches or Staff: $1,228,113
=======================================
9. INDIANA - $106.1 million
Total Revenue: $106,139,192
- Ticket Revenue: $18,089,310
- Contributions: $22,702,581
- Subsidy from school or student fees: $2,569,044 (included in revenue listed above)
Sports Teams: 24- Contributions: $22,702,581
- Subsidy from school or student fees: $2,569,044 (included in revenue listed above)
Athletes: 633
Scholarships: $15,866,381 spent on 306.5 scholarships split among 482 athletes
Coaching Pay and Benefits: $18,695,723
- Head football coach: $2,518,503
- Head men's basketball coach: $3,797,799
- Head women's basketball coach: $660,614
- Next highest-paid women's head coach: Volleyball - $226,969
Staff Pay & Benefits: $18,906,314- Head men's basketball coach: $3,797,799
- Head women's basketball coach: $660,614
- Next highest-paid women's head coach: Volleyball - $226,969
Severance to Coaches or Staff: $3,092,292
=======================================
8. MINNESOTA - $116.4 million
Total Revenue: $116,376,862
- Ticket Revenue: $20,500,383
- Contributions: $14,018,855
- Subsidy from school or student fees: $14,817,134 (included in revenue listed above)
Sports Teams: 25- Contributions: $14,018,855
- Subsidy from school or student fees: $14,817,134 (included in revenue listed above)
Athletes: 740
Scholarships: $12,154,640 spent on 331.67 scholarships split among 539 athletes
Coaching Pay and Benefits: $20,826,744
- Head football coach: $3,123,897
- Head men's basketball coach: $2,480,676
- Head women's basketball coach: $696,177
- Next highest-paid women's head coach: Volleyball - $553,614
Staff Pay & Benefits: $18,187,684- Head men's basketball coach: $2,480,676
- Head women's basketball coach: $696,177
- Next highest-paid women's head coach: Volleyball - $553,614
Severance to Coaches or Staff: $3,902,782
=======================================
7. NEBRASKA - $120.2 million
Total Revenue: $120,205,090
- Ticket Revenue: $37,258,695
- Contributions: $26,409,172
- Subsidy from school or student fees: $0
Sports Teams: 24- Contributions: $26,409,172
- Subsidy from school or student fees: $0
Athletes: 589
Scholarships: $11,836,616 spent on 300.49 scholarships among 465 athletes
Coaching Pay and Benefits: $17,953,170
- Head football coach: $2,929,143
- Head men's basketball coach: $2,243,153
- Head women's basketball coach: $627,929
- Next highest-paid women's head coach: Volleyball - $794,214
Staff Pay & Benefits: $24,006,816- Head men's basketball coach: $2,243,153
- Head women's basketball coach: $627,929
- Next highest-paid women's head coach: Volleyball - $794,214
Severance to Coaches or Staff: $2,013,155
=======================================
6. MICHIGAN STATE - $126 million
Total Revenue: $126,021,377
- Ticket Revenue: $26,802,465
- Contributions: $31,887,848
- Subsidy from school or student fees: $901,057 (included in revenue listed above)
Sports Teams: 25- Contributions: $31,887,848
- Subsidy from school or student fees: $901,057 (included in revenue listed above)
Athletes: 713
Scholarships: $15,090,350 spent on 328.8 scholarships split among 513 athletes
Coaching Pay and Benefits: $20,930,050
- Head football coach: $4,318,307
- Head men's basketball coach: $4,965,649
- Head women's basketball coach: $711,956
- Next highest-paid women's head coach: Volleyball - $289,750
Staff Pay & Benefits: $17,925,944- Head men's basketball coach: $4,965,649
- Head women's basketball coach: $711,956
- Next highest-paid women's head coach: Volleyball - $289,750
Severance to Coaches or Staff: $48,443
=======================================
5. IOWA - $130.7 million
Total Revenue: $130,681,467
- Ticket Revenue: $28,253,233
- Contributions: $29,616,227
- Subsidy from school or student fees: $650,000 (included in revenue listed above
Sports Teams: 24- Contributions: $29,616,227
- Subsidy from school or student fees: $650,000 (included in revenue listed above
Athletes: 682
Scholarships: $12,623,711 spent on 297.81 scholarships split among 467 athletes
Coaching Pay and Benefits: $21,919,960
- Head football coach: $5,759,942
- Head men's basketball coach: $2,387,744
- Head women's basketball coach: $971,503
- Next highest-paid women's head coach: Volleyball - $307,568
Staff Pay & Benefits: $19,978,232- Head men's basketball coach: $2,387,744
- Head women's basketball coach: $971,503
- Next highest-paid women's head coach: Volleyball - $307,568
Severance to Coaches or Staff: $3,895,387
=======================================
4. WISCONSIN - $143.4 million
Total Revenue: $143,420,668
- Ticket Revenue: $28,773,188
- Contributions: $21,964,082
- Subsidy from school or student fees: $2,843,000 (included in revenue listed above)
Sports Teams: 24- Contributions: $21,964,082
- Subsidy from school or student fees: $2,843,000 (included in revenue listed above)
Athletes: 775
Scholarships: $16,324,620 spent on 340.95 scholarships split among 517 athletes
Coaching Pay and Benefits: $18,437,364
- Head football coach: $3,098,870
- Head men's basketball coach: $2,037,933
- Head women's basketball coach: $723,828
- Next highest-paid women's head coach: Ice Hockey: $391,236
Staff Pay & Benefits: $31,212,599- Head men's basketball coach: $2,037,933
- Head women's basketball coach: $723,828
- Next highest-paid women's head coach: Ice Hockey: $391,236
Severance to Coaches or Staff: $628,669
=======================================
3. PENN STATE - $144 million
Total Revenue: $144,017,055
- Ticket Revenue: $35,500,704
- Contributions: $30,779,975
- Subsidy from school or student fees: $0
Sports Teams: 31- Contributions: $30,779,975
- Subsidy from school or student fees: $0
Athletes: 820
Scholarships: $20,084,737 spent on 370.21 scholarships split among 940 athletes
Coaching Pay and Benefits: $25,458,059
- Head football coach: (declined to release)
- Head men's basketball coach: (declined to release)
- Head women's basketball coach: (declined to release)
- Next highest-paid women's head coach: (declined to release)
Staff Pay & Benefits: $25,247,339- Head men's basketball coach: (declined to release)
- Head women's basketball coach: (declined to release)
- Next highest-paid women's head coach: (declined to release)
Severance to Coaches or Staff: $188,066
=======================================
2. MICHIGAN - $185.2 million
Total Revenue: $185,173,184
- Ticket Revenue: $55,327,815
- Contributions: $38,103,585
- Subsidy from school or student fees: $280,647 (included in revenue listed above, however sports generated more than enough money to cover its bills. The athletic department transferred to the school more than $4 million for non-athletic scholarships and other purposes outside the athletic department.)
Sports Teams: 29- Contributions: $38,103,585
- Subsidy from school or student fees: $280,647 (included in revenue listed above, however sports generated more than enough money to cover its bills. The athletic department transferred to the school more than $4 million for non-athletic scholarships and other purposes outside the athletic department.)
Athletes: 905
Scholarships: $25,123,276 spent on 384.93 scholarships split among 624 athletes
Coaching Pay and Benefits: $28,816,517
- Head football coach: $6,081,941
- Head men's basketball coach: $3,570,975
- Head women's basketball coach: $692,748
- Next highest-paid women's head coach: Softball: $396,991
Staff Pay & Benefits: $31,686,667- Head men's basketball coach: $3,570,975
- Head women's basketball coach: $692,748
- Next highest-paid women's head coach: Softball: $396,991
Severance to Coaches or Staff: $1,061,844
=======================================
1. OHIO STATE - $185.4 million
Total Revenue: $185,409,602
- Ticket Revenue: $61,560,351
- Contributions: $37,612,937
- Subsidy from school or student fees: $0
Sports Teams: 36- Contributions: $37,612,937
- Subsidy from school or student fees: $0
Athletes: 1,011
Scholarships: $20,071,376 spent on 442.33 scholarships split among 730 athletes
Coaching Pay and Benefits: $31,837,126
- Head football coach: $5,481,843
- Head men's basketball coach: $3,781,254
- Head women's basketball coach: $1,170,989
- Next highest-paid women's head coach: Rowing: $388,299
Staff Pay & Benefits: $32,572,430- Head men's basketball coach: $3,781,254
- Head women's basketball coach: $1,170,989
- Next highest-paid women's head coach: Rowing: $388,299
Severance to Coaches or Staff: $241,200
=======================================
Side-by-Side Ranking for Revenue
Ohio State ($185.4 million) edged out Michigan ($185.2 million) for the top spot in athletic department revenue.
Sports at both Ohio State and Michigan generated more than enough money to cover the athletic bills.
On the high-end for subsidies (included in the revenue totals) were Rutgers ($11.8 million in student fees and $21.3 million in other school support) and Maryland ($12 million in student fees and $2.5 million on other university support). Both of these schools are recent additions to the Big Ten and do not yet receive full shares of conference revenue.
The Biggest Gates
Ticket revenue at Ohio State ($61.6 million) and Michigan ($55.3 million) dwarfed the totals for all other schools in the league. Next highest was Nebraska at $37.2 million. Purdue was last at $9.2 million.
Corporate, Individual and Club Donations
Athletic departments at Michigan ($38.1 million) and Ohio State ($37.6 million) each raised nearly $40 million in donations from corporations, individuals, clubs and others during the 2016-2017 school year -- five times what Rutgers ($7.1 million) reported raising.
The Most Teams and Athletes
Ohio State fields 36 sports teams, more than any other Big Ten school. A league-high 1,011 athletes were on those Buckeye teams during 2016-2017. Penn State fields 31 teams, the second-most, and Michigan is third with 29 teams. On the low side, Purdue and Maryland each field 20 teams.
The Cost of Scholarships
The value of athletic scholarships provided by Michigan ($25.1 million) topped the Big Ten. The amount is a product of two factors: the number of athletes on scholarship and the cost of attending each school. Scholarships are a big expense item. But each school spent more on coaches pay and benefits than the value of scholarships for their student-athletes.
Spending on Coaches
Ohio State tops the Big Ten in providing $31.8 million in salaries and benefits to its head coaches and assistant coaches, double that of Illinois. There are two reasons: Ohio State pays more than most Big Ten schools, and it has the most teams.
Head Coach Ranking
This may come as a surprise to Ohio State football fans, but Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer was third in the Big Ten for pay and benefits reported for the 2016-2017 school year, behind Iowa's Kirk Ferentz and Michigan's Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh's pay, bonuses and benefits totaled $6.1 million. Ferentz received $5.8 million and Meyer $5.5 million.
As noted earlier, the totals are what each school reported to the NCAA for coaching pay and benefits during the 2016-2017 school year. This includes wages, bonuses, allowances, speaking fees, retirement stipends, memberships, media income, tuition reimbursement, and earned deferred compensation. And, if there is a coaching change, the totals are for both coaches during the time period.
The Pay Scale for Women's Basketball Coaches
Basketball is the top-paying position for women's head coaches in the Big Ten, though just three jobs topped $1 million in salary and benefits: those held by Vivian Stringer at Rutgers ($1.14 million), Kevin McGuff at Ohio State ($1.17 million) and Brenda Frese at Maryland ($1.21 million).
