OSU tops Alabama in sports revenue generation

Ohio State University’s athletic program surpassed the University of Alabama as the second largest revenue producing program in the country.

OSU’s athletic revenue topped $170.9 million in fiscal year 2014. Only the University of Texas brought in more money from sports, with about $180 million, according to U.S. Department of Education data.

The Buckeyes increased sports revenue by about $27 million, or 16 percent last year. Meanwhile, the 2015 NCAA football champs increased its football revenue by 21 percent to $83.5 million — which ranks 9th in the country.

“This is a reflection of our outstanding program and our excellent coaches and student athletes,” said OSU Athletics Director Gene Smith in a prepared statement to this newspaper. “The exciting thing is that this revenue benefits the academic mission for all of the university.”

OSU officials also said winning the first ever College Football Playoff tournament had a positive impact on its revenue.

While OSU’s revenue surged, its rival went down. In 2014, the University of Michigan dropped 2.7 percent to $132.3 million — the largest drop of any school ranked in the top 10.

Of the 10 largest athletic programs in the country, OSU had the most revenue from basketball. The university’s men’s and women’s basketball teams brought in a combined $25 million, up 11.7 percent.

Combined, men’s football and basketball accounted for 63 percent of OSU’s total revenue last year.

Here’s the breakdown for other sports at Ohio State in 2014: baseball, $337,752; track, $185,833; diving, $58,200; fencing, $80,097; field hockey, $101,463; golf, $799,651; gymnastics, $272,303; ice hockey, $894,018; lacrosse, $982,038; rifle, $30,183; rowing, $88,065; soccer, $378,251; softball, $155,849; swimming, $357,093; synchronized swimming, $33,409; tennis, $83,043; volleyball, $345,787; wrestling, $910,421; other sports, $25,390.

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