Forbes Top 20 Most Valuable - USC is biggest mover

[cockyhoskins]

Biggest mover in the Top 20

Article:
http://www.forbes.com/business/2007/11/20/notre-dame-fooball-biz-sports-cx_ps_1120collegeball.html

Slide on USC:
http://www.forbes.com/2007/11/20/notre-dame-fooball-biz-sports-cx_ps_1120collegeball_slide_13.html?thisSpeed=1500 0

[cockyhoskins]

#12 USC Gamecocks
University of South Carolina, Gamecocks
Value: $69 million
Profit: $28.9 million
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Steve Spurrier

South Carolina's value increased 22% over the course of the last year, more than any other team in the top 20.

[TalkingHead]

Congrats to our AD!!!

[NastyNash]

that is sweet

[The Dude]

Congrats to our AD!!!

Indeed...too bad there are so many people denouncing him, yet they wont say a disparraging thing about this accomplishment.

We're building something special here.

[Cockhornleghorn]

Did you notice who was conspicuously absent from the top 20?

[Trooperdel]

Erik Hyman has us on the right track financially. Financial stability is the predecessor to success on the field.

[Trooperdel]

Did you notice who was conspicuously absent from the top 20?

The reason that they're absent is that they borrowed up to their eyeballs to pay for that West End Zone project. The debt service eats up a big chunk of their sports revenue every year. At the end of the day, it is bringing them better athletes. But, the fact that those better athletes are being coached by morons still makes them a second rate team in a thrid rate conference.

I'm glad that we have an athletic administration that is fiscally responsible. Joining the SEC has been a financial windfall for us that will continue to pay off for years to come.

[LegalCock]

Thanks Under Armour.

[TheMule]

Indeed...too bad there are so many people denouncing him, yet they wont say a disparraging thing about this accomplishment.

We're building something special here.

Dude, if we won national championships in football, baseball and men's basketball, some people would p&m about not winning in women's basketball or not having four championships in football. That's just the nature of some. I like the positive direction USC is headed.

[bleepbloop]

This is great news. Things are on the up and up...the program is getting better.

[uscnoklahoma]

That's good stuff!

[spurmanski]

I guess you can say what you want about anything:

but the value came from the fact that at some point in time we had an AD who brought in Lou Holtz, Steve Spurrier and I'm not even going to say the baseball coaches name since the clustermess that's been going on down by the river could blow up in our face any minute.

[usc90grad]

Don't mean to pee on the parade, but WINS are more important to me!

[cockyhoskins]

It REALLY shocks me that we are so high. Look at the other teams in the Top 20. ND, Michigan, Florida... heck, we are ahead of the other USC. The fact that we are up there with traditional powerhouses is amazing.

[SangareeCrew]

Erik Hyman has us on the right track financially. Financial stability is the predecessor to success on the field.

Agreed. I think even if you have problems with specific policies, we should all recognize that progress is being made and the financial stability will lead to better athletes and a winning program. As trooper said, look at the talent Clemzin has. The facilities had a lot to do with that. (Now their coaching staff is another matter.)

[spurmanski]

guess I dint make it to MBA level either:rotfl:

I've been battling all those people that feel screwed for the last year or so....heck, I might just join'em. Not really but I must say just build it and it will be paid. Crap, we now have a high debt ceiling and the way that BB thing is going it may take it all to satisfy the city fathers and Admin who are doint their best to make a huger mess of the baseball stadium (and no that aint pronounced u-gee....

so now we have one clustermess facility bythe former AD and
one that started downhill when he left, the Bb stadium. Maybe we should here some Clemplanners to plan our next mess.....remember the crooked WEZ columns

maybe we should remove the letter B from our facilities alphabet

[hardcock2]

I took the liberty of posting them all in value order...I really thought Oregon (nike) and Arky (wal-mart) would have been much higher.

University of Notre Dame, Fighting Irish

Value: $101 million
Profit: $45.8 million
Conference: Independent
Head Coach: Charlie Weiss

Notre Dame's football program contributed $21.1 million to the university's academic programs last season, far more than any other college football team. They also receive 9.3 million a year from NBC alone.
-----------------------------------
University of Texas, Longhorns

Value: $92 million
Profit: $46.2 million
Conference: Big 12
Head Coach: Mack Brown

University of Texas athletics earns $12 million annually from premium seating, a number that will rise with the addition of 44 luxury suites and 2,000 club seats in their stadium before kick-off next season.
-----------------------------------
University of Georgia, Bulldogs

Value: $90 million
Profit: $43.5 million
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Mark Richt

Georgia's $60.3 million in football revenue last season was the highest in the Southeastern Conference.
-----------------------------------
University of Michigan, Wolverines

Value: $85 million
Profit: $36.2 million
Conference: Big 10
Head Coach: Lloyd Carr (retired)

Michigan will add 83 luxury suites and 3,200 club seats to "the big house" next year at a cost of $226 million.
-----------------------------------
University of Florida, Gators

Value: $84 million
Profit: $38.2 million
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Urban Meyer

The Gators' football revenue increased by $11 million, to $58.9 million, during their national-title season last year.
-----------------------------------
Louisiana State University, Tigers

Value: $76 million
Profit: $31.7 million
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Les Miles

The addition of an eighth home game helped LSU's value increase 11% in one year.
-----------------------------------
University of Tennessee, Volunteers

Value: $74 million
Profit: $17.3 million
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Phillip Fulmer

Four stadium renovation projects in 10 years added more than 10,000 seats and 78 suites to historic Neyland Stadium.
-----------------------------------
Auburn University, Tigers

Value: $73 million
Profit: $33.9 million
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Tommy Tuberville

Over the course of a season, Tigers home games result in an estimated $50 million of incremental spending in Lee County, Ala.
------------------------------------
University of Alabama, Crimson Tide

Value: $72 million
Profit: $31.8 million
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Nick Saban

Saban's $4 million average annual salary is highest in college football history, but still $500,000 less than he would have made if he remained with the NFL's Miami Dolphins.
------------------------------------
Ohio State University, Buckeyes

Value: $71 million
Profit: $26.6 million
Conference: BigTen
Head Coach: Jim Tressel

At $59.1 million, the Buckeyes were first among BigTen teams in revenue last season, but, dubiously, also led all of college football in expenses. The Ohio State Athletic Department spent $32.5 million on football, 71% of which happened on game days.
------------------------------------
University of Oklahoma, Sooners

Value: $70 million
Profit: $18.5 million
Conference: Big 12
Head Coach: Bob Stoops

The Sooners are reaping the rewards of increased revenue attributable to a 2004 renovation to the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial stadium, which added 27 suites and 2,500 club seats.
------------------------------------
University of South Carolina, Gamecocks :football:

Value: $69 million
Profit: $28.9 million
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Steve Spurrier

South Carolina's value increased 22% over the course of the last year, more than any other team in the top 20.
------------------------------------
Pennsylvania State University, Nittany Lions

Value: $69 million
Profit: $29.4 million
Conference: BigTen
Head Coach: Joe Paterno

The Nittany Lions sell out their stadium, which is the second-largest in the country, every game.
-------------------------------------
University of Southern California, Trojans

Value: $53 million
Profit: $13 million
Conference: Pac 10
Head Coach: Pete Carroll

The most valuable program in the Pacific 10, USC has seen a 7% increase in team value over the past year.
--------------------------------------
University of Arkansas, Razorbacks

Value: $53 million
Profit: $19.3 million
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Houston Nutt

Each Razorback home game results in $7.3 million of incremental spending throughout the county.
--------------------------------------
Texas A&M University, Aggies

Value: $50 million
Profit: $20.5 million
Conference: Big 12
Head Coach: Dennis Franchione

Texas A&M projects $9.5 million in broadcast revenue next season.
--------------------------------------
University of Washington, Huskies

Value: $50 million
Profit: $19.9 million
Conference: Pac 10
Head Coach: Tyrone Willingham

Athletic Director Todd Turner is lobbying for support of an expansion to Husky Stadium, as well as the creation of a new "Huskies Athletic Village."
---------------------------------------
University of Nebraska, Cornhuskers

Value: $49 million
Profit: $12.4 million
Conference: Big 12
Head Coach: Bill Callahan

Callahan, who once led the Raiders to the Super Bowl, has refused to step down at Nebraska despite being asked to do so by university officials
---------------------------------------
Michigan State University, Spartans

Value: $44 million
Profit: $18.3 million
Conference: BigTen
Head Coach: Mark Dantonio

Michigan State plans to increase contributions to academics as a result of revenue from the recently launched BigTen Network.
---------------------------------------
University of Wisconsin, Badgers

Value: $43 million
Profit: $14.3 million
Conference: BigTen
Head Coach: Bret Bielema

Wisconsin fell five spots in the rankings owing to a $7.6 million drop in football profit since last year.

[Mecklenburg Cock]

You know Hyman takes a lot of shots, but this is evidence that he is doing the right things to strengthen our University.

[usc90grad]

You know Hyman takes a lot of shots, but this is evidence that he is doing the right things to strengthen our University.

Bottom line, Hyman is rolling the dice. He's gambling that the increase in ticket prices, dues, parking, etc will equal out with wins and fans will keep donating and coming.

If he tries PSL's after this lousy year, I think you'll see a noticeable drop in Gamecock Club members.

Just my two cents.

[hardcock2]

Bottom line, Hyman is rolling the dice. He's gambling that the increase in ticket prices, dues, parking, etc will equal out with wins and fans will keep donating and coming.

If he tries PSL's after this lousy year, I think you'll see a noticeable drop in Gamecock Club members.

Just my two cents.

YEAH, if they try to do PSL's, we're screwed! Company's, not fans will then buy them up and that will really suck. Then it will be nothing but fairweather fans with tickets like it is in Charlotte for Panther games. I hope I'm wrong though.

[FinchMcCrunkNasty]

great! now that we have some money bring the band to the away games next year!!

[willy]

#12 USC Gamecocks
University of South Carolina, Gamecocks
Value: $69 million
Profit: $28.9 million
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Steve Spurrier

South Carolina's value increased 22% over the course of the last year, more than any other team in the top 20.


That is very interesting.

[Stillwearingmyjoehat]

SEC: eight teams (Jaw Ja, Florida, Lose You, Tennessee, AreKansas, Bammer, All Barn and USC.)

ACC: Zilch, Zip, Nada. No, Free Shoes, no My Hammy, no VT, no Klemspun, no GT, no UNC.

Do you think they make it ALL up with basketball?

Yes, I'm surprised My Hammy isn't on the list. The amount of licensed gear should bring them in about a billion a year. I travel a LOT and you see that discgusting orange and green everywhere.

I guess it's all old stuff and no one's buying anything new?

[LegalCock]

Interesting article.

[Click]

Erik Hyman has us on the right track financially. Financial stability is the predecessor to success on the field.

I agree. Just hope he doesn't go so far with stuff that he squeezes out the little man at USC. Hope it doesn't get to the point where only the rich & famous can afford to see a game, you know. Its the little man who's been there all these years and it would be a shame to squeeze him out.

[Mecklenburg Cock]

Bottom line, Hyman is rolling the dice. He's gambling that the increase in ticket prices, dues, parking, etc will equal out with wins and fans will keep donating and coming.

If he tries PSL's after this lousy year, I think you'll see a noticeable drop in Gamecock Club members.

Just my two cents.

I agree. Granted my measuring stick is the Carolina Panthers, but if you have to think if the atmosphere is anything liket that of Bank of America Stadium then our reputation as the best fans in the country is gone!

However, le'me add, that NCState has gone to a PSL system (I believe). A more true measuring stick may be to look at those guys.

[airforcecocky]

Agreed. I think even if you have problems with specific policies I will be the first to say I dont like Hyman or 90% of what he does. But you can not argue with the fact that he is bringing in money to the university and this thread is about where we rank in that respect. There are other threads at other times to discus differences of opions on policies and what is done with the money but certainly taken as a black and white stat this is an impressive feat indead and that is the point of this thread and should be respected.

[CockRoche]

I think since football finances most other sports, they should also rank the schools entire athletic worth.

[usc90grad]

Does anyone know how Forbes came up with the "value"? $69 million for us...

[hardcock2]

Does anyone know how Forbes came up with the "value"? $69 million for us...

This is what Forbes says pre-ranking.
Our second annual ranking of the most valuable teams in college football is based on what the football programs contribute to four important beneficiaries: their university (the value of contributions from football to the institution for academic purposes, including scholarship payments for football players); athletic department (the net profit generated by the football program ultimately retained by the department); conference (the distribution of bowl game revenue); and local communities with a vested interest in the team (incremental spending in the county during home-game weekends). Our system weighs those four elements in declining order. This year's rankings were expanded from 15 to 20 teams.

[Gamerooster]

I've compiled the list below and it shows what we're up against. I guess Hyman has been pretty good at getting money out of our pockets. Here's part of the article. Read the rest here:
http://www.forbes.com/sportsbusiness/2007/11/20/notre-dame-fooball-biz-sports-cx_ps_1120collegeball.html

http://www.forbes.com/2007/11/20/notre-dame-fooball-biz-sports-cx_ps_1120collegeball_slide_13.html?thisSpeed=2000 0

In the past few years, there's been a big push by major college football teams to increase revenue through massive stadium expansions, lucrative premium seating and rich sponsorship and broadcast deals--the same blueprint the National Football League used for decades to create billion-dollar franchises. The game plan is working in college, albeit on a much smaller scale: Last year, 10 college football teams raked in at least $45 million in revenues--among them, the University of Notre Dame, University of Georgia, Ohio State and Auburn University--compared to none five years ago.
Of course, college teams aren't sold in the open market like NFL teams. But the revenue they generate is extremely valuable. Our second annual ranking of the most valuable teams in college football is based on what the football programs contribute to four important beneficiaries: their university (the value of contributions from football to the institution for academic purposes, including scholarship payments for football players); athletic department (the net profit generated by the football program ultimately retained by the department); conference (the distribution of bowl game revenue); and local communities with a vested interest in the team (incremental spending in the county during home-game weekends). Our system weighs those four elements in declining order. This year's rankings were expanded from 15 to 20 teams.

One of the strongest links tying the college and professional football in recent years has been corporate sponsorships. Both PepsiCo's (nyse: PEP (http://finapps.forbes.com/finapps/jsp/finance/compinfo/CIAtAGlance.jsp?tkr=PEP) - news (http://www.forbes.com/markets/company_news.jhtml?ticker=PEP) - people (http://www.forbes.com/peopletracker/results.jhtml?startRow=0&name=&ticker=PEP)) Gatorade brand and apparel maker Under Armour (nyse: UA (http://finapps.forbes.com/finapps/jsp/finance/compinfo/CIAtAGlance.jsp?tkr=UA) - news (http://www.forbes.com/markets/company_news.jhtml?ticker=UA) - people (http://www.forbes.com/peopletracker/results.jhtml?startRow=0&name=&ticker=UA)) use images of college and professional football side-by-side in commercials, leaving some to wonder whether Steve Spurrier's day job is to be the head coach of South Carolina or team click-clack. Gatorade sponsors five of the six major college athletic conferences, as well as the NFL, while sister company Pepsi Bottling Group (nyse: PBG (http://finapps.forbes.com/finapps/jsp/finance/compinfo/CIAtAGlance.jsp?tkr=PBG) - news (http://www.forbes.com/markets/company_news.jhtml?ticker=PBG) - people (http://www.forbes.com/peopletracker/results.jhtml?startRow=0&name=&ticker=PBG)) is in its third year of a 10-year, $27 million deal with the University of Florida.


1. Notre Dame
2. Texas
3. Georgia
4. Michigan
5. Florida
6. LSU
7. Tennessee
8. Auburn
9. Alabama
10. Ohio State
11. Oklahoma
12. USC- Value: $69 million Profit: $28.9 million
South Carolina's value increased 22% over the course of the last year, more than any other team in the top 20.
13. Penn State
14. So Cal
15. Arkansas
16. Texas A&M
17. Washington
18. Nebraska
19. Michigan State
20. Wisconsin

[U-Dub Gamecock]

Maybe now we can buy the damn farmers market.. and implode that damn area.. and make a nice tailgating spot

[usc90grad]

Posted earlier in the week...

http://www.cockytalk.com/showthread.php?t=54316

[bigmuthafooka]

1. Notre Dame
2. Texas
3. Georgia
4. Michigan
5. Florida
6. LSU
7. Tennessee
8. Auburn
9. Alabama
10. Ohio State
11. Oklahoma
12. USC- Value: $69 million Profit: $28.9 million
South Carolina's value increased 22% over the course of the last year, more than any other team in the top 20.
13. Penn State
14. So Cal
15. Arkansas
16. Texas A&M
17. Washington
18. Nebraska
19. Michigan State
20. Wisconsin

so they actually had us as USC? tht kinda crazy

[WeHailTheeCarolina]

SEC + BIG 10 = $

[foezopen]

SEC + BIG 10 = $




YA LEFT ONE OUT...

SEC + BIG 10 + BIG 12 = :mrgreen:

[tptgamecock]

(WLTX) - While they may not be in the top 25 right now, according to Forbes Magazine, the Gamecocks are one of the best teams in America financially.

This week, Forbes Magazine released its list of the top 20 most valuable college football teams , and USC was tied with Penn State for 12th.

The rankings reflect a variety of factors, including premium seating, t.v contracts, and corporate sponsorship.

USC's value is $69 million, with a profit of $28.9 million. That's up 22 percent over the previous year, Forbes says, the biggest increase of any school in the top 10.

In making its point about corporate tie-ins, the article even mentions Steve Spurrier's appearances in Under Armour commercials.

And obviously, it's good to be in the SEC. The conference boasts six teams in the top 10, and eight in the top 15.

At the top of the class? It's Notre Dame. While the team may have been miserable on the field this year, the school knows how to make money, helped in part by their exclusive t.v. contract with NBC.

Here's the top 5:

1 - Notre Dame ($101 million value, profit $45.8 million)

2 - Texas ($92 million value, profit $46.2 million)

3 - Georgia ($90 million value, profit $43.5 million)

4 - Michigan ($85 million value, profit $36.2 million)

5 - Florida ($84 million value, profit $38.2 million)


http://www.wltx.com/gamecocks/story.aspx?storyid=55903 (http://www.wltx.com/gamecocks/story.aspx?storyid=55903)

[cockyguitarist]

Damn, Notre Dame should be forced to give that money to charity. It's damn great and Im more than happy Georgia is in 3rd, they've been dominating and have matured very greatly and impressively through the season.

[CaptainCrunch]

good read

[McNasty]

and we STILL dont have the money necessary???

someone please explain that to me. i may be missing something.

[ConwayGamecock]

and we STILL dont have the money necessary???

someone please explain that to me. i may be missing something.

USC is putting the money back into their capital improvements. Having a profit doesn't mean they have all this liquid cash sitting in a bank vault somewhere, if they have budgets set up for major facility upgrades. That 29 million doesn't come close to paying for the baseball stadium, for an example...

[willy]

and we STILL dont have the money necessary???

someone please explain that to me. i may be missing something.



So am I McNasty. Where the hell is the money going?

[CreoleCock]

Damn, Notre Dame should be forced to give that money to charity. It's damn great and Im more than happy Georgia is in 3rd, they've been dominating and have matured very greatly and impressively through the season.

:lol: :lol: :rotfl: :rotfl:

I agree but it is impressive that they remain number one, and i'm impressed we are 12th.

[usc90grad]

Doesnt' really mean jack.....unless we're thinking about selling the team.

[willy]

:lol: :lol: :rotfl: :rotfl:

I agree but it is impressive that they remain number one, and i'm impressed we are 12th.



I think that we should call for an audit.

[CreoleCock]

I think that we should call for an audit.

Lol.

[jellafever]

why do you write an article about Carolina being tied for the 12th most valuable football team in America and then only list the top 5? WTF? At least show me the top 12.

[smoovecock]

:rotfl: Doesnt' really mean jack.....unless we're thinking about selling the team......:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: ...

[FoghornLeghornCock]

It is worth reading the full article at Forbes and look at all twenty teams on this list. We had some catching up to do in regards to facilities. When we put in place our new baseball stadium, locker rooms, academic center, and football stadium improvements you would have to believe we will only move up this list. We already have a state of the art basketball facility. We need to just continue to support our teams and hopefully we can turn things around. It is worth noting no team from the ACC is on this list.

[ra742002]

Damn, Notre Dame should be forced to give that money to charity. It's damn great and Im more than happy Georgia is in 3rd, they've been dominating and have matured very greatly and impressively through the season.

why should ND give money to charity. They're a private school, tuition is 40,000/year, and they have an exclusive tv deal with NBC, b/c they've got a great story to tell every saturday. They've earned that deal. You can't tell me if CBS suddenly decided to broadcast Carolina games exclusively, that you would even consider us giving some of the money made from it for charity. the University is a charity. The state funds Carolina. The state of Indiana doesn't fund Notre Dame.

[hallwr2]

we could have been worth more with being accepted to a bowl game... any one of them would have helped some.

[deenerbug]

It is worth reading the full article at Forbes and look at all twenty teams on this list. We had some catching up to do in regards to facilities. When we put in place our new baseball stadium, locker rooms, academic center, and football stadium improvements you would have to believe we will only move up this list. We already have a state of the art basketball facility. We need to just continue to support our teams and hopefully we can turn things around. It is worth noting no team from the ACC is on this list.

I agree. We definitely have some improvements that need to be made in regard to facilities. It effects our recruiting and the sooner we get those improvements in place, the better.

[Gamerooster]

Take a look at the old thread with a link to the Forbe's write up.

http://www.cockytalk.com/showthread.php?t=54316

Here's the list:

1. Notre Dame
2. Texas
3. Georgia
4. Michigan
5. Florida
6. LSU
7. Tennessee
8. Auburn
9. Alabama
10. Ohio State
11. Oklahoma
12. USC- Value: $69 million Profit: $28.9 million
South Carolina's value increased 22% over the course of the last year, more than any other team in the top 20.
13. Penn State
14. So Cal
15. Arkansas
16. Texas A&M
17. Washington
18. Nebraska
19. Michigan State
20. Wisconsin

[2000grad]

Man, if you look at the teams ahead of us, that's pretty impressive. I think that every one of those teams 1-11 have larger stadiums than us and National Championships. When we win ours, we'll jump ahead a spot or two.

[cocky0]

hmmm That definitely adds support to a theory I came up with a while back. The OOTS members here should know what I'm talking about. IN short, I posed the question, "Are we our own worst enemies?" Being that our fans continuously purchase the tickets and the paraphernallia that benefit the university whether the teams do well or not, could it be that there is no real motivation in the higher-held offices to improve anything? I mean if it is not broken, why try to fix it?

[JaxcockFL]

Did anyone notice that while we are tied for 12 in the USA, we are in 7th place in the SEC?

If I might suggest, if you see we are ranked anywhere on anything in athletics, you should look to see where we compare vs the other SEC schools on that list to figure where we really are.

It can sober you on recruiting rankings too. Holtz had some ranked around 15, but 7th in the SEC.

[chucks0]

It is VERY important for people to realize that this financial ranking is based on this year. Revenue for football has increased dramatically since Spurrier's arrival. This year set a record for most money raised, nearly doubling the previous record which was set the previous year. This doesn't equate to immediate success on the football field, but will help to build the facilities to compete with those SEC schools who have been on the Forbes list for a long time.

[Gamecock Rob]

SEC: eight teams (Jaw Ja, Florida, Lose You, Tennessee, AreKansas, Bammer, All Barn and USC.

Yea i saw that and laughed. Its like the attendance statistics. Further proof of SEC superiority

[CockySpurrier85]

nice find

[jstrom]

why should ND give money to charity. They're a private school, tuition is 40,000/year, and they have an exclusive tv deal with NBC, b/c they've got a great story to tell every saturday. They've earned that deal. .

And oh how they told that story in '07...lmao!!!

[98Grad]

The reason that they're absent is that they borrowed up to their eyeballs to pay for that West End Zone project. The debt service eats up a big chunk of their sports revenue every year. At the end of the day, it is bringing them better athletes. But, the fact that those better athletes are being coached by morons still makes them a second rate team in a thrid rate conference.

I'm glad that we have an athletic administration that is fiscally responsible. Joining the SEC has been a financial windfall for us that will continue to pay off for years to come.


That sounds good and it's probably true however, they still own us in which makes me sick. No excuse to lose to that group of rednecks like we do year in and year out. Until we start winning s few games in a row, I'll not talk smack with the rednecks.

[gAmkok]

Bottom line, Hyman is rolling the dice. He's gambling that the increase in ticket prices, dues, parking, etc will equal out with wins and fans will keep donating and coming.

If he tries PSL's after this lousy year, I think you'll see a noticeable drop in Gamecock Club members.

Just my two cents.


Agree completely. I guess we'll see if that train can be slowed down some.

[gAmkok]

Doesnt' really mean jack.....unless we're thinking about selling the team.

...or buying the tickets to support the ranking.

[RHHS8068]

The reason that they're absent is that they borrowed up to their eyeballs to pay for that West End Zone project. The debt service eats up a big chunk of their sports revenue every year.

I think a major reason is the ACC is a lessor conference. Because they are weak as a conference, they don't generate nearly as much TV money and almost an order of magnitude less bowl money. More than half of the bowls the ACC signed contracts to are "break even" bowls, meaning the payout only covers expenses. There is nothing to share after the bowl.

The ACC is also more geographically spread. Boston and Miami eat up a lot of travel dollars.

The west end zone is a piece, but the ACC itself is the bigger problem. That's why not a single ACC team is listed.

[Sarge]

Eight SEC teams by my count and zero for the ACC.

[bhusc2002]

if you want to see why there are no ACC teams on this list, just check out the pic on one of the threads in smack (sorry forget which one) of the ACC champ game. there is noone there. they cant get anybody to attend their games, so they dont get the money from ticket sales.

[Gamerooster]

The State discovers this hot news story:

Forbes ranks Gamecocks as one of country’s most valuable football programs

By JOSEPH PERSON - jperson@thestate.com



Forbes’ top 20 (http://www.thestate.com/news-extras/story/281413.html) South Carolina finished in the top 20 on at least one list, anyway.
Though a five-game losing streak sent the Gamecocks plummeting from the national polls, USC tied Penn State for 12th in Forbes.com’s recent rankings of the most valuable college football programs.
Forbes estimated USC’s value at $69 million, a 22-percent increase that represented the largest jump among the 20 teams in the magazine’s second annual football rankings. The Gamecocks were 14th on Forbes’ list the first year of the rankings.
“Despite the way the season ended, Gamecock fans can take solace in the fact that financially their program has never looked better,” said Peter Schwartz, who compiled the rankings and wrote the accompanying story on Forbes’ Web site.
Schwartz said USC’s reported football expenses of $12.4 million in 2006 were the lowest among the 20 teams on Forbes’ list.
USC athletics director Eric Hyman tempered his enthusiasm about the ranking, noting that the valuation was “a rough estimation.” Though Hyman said it is difficult to assign a monetary value to a college program, he thought the list looked reliable in terms of where USC stacked up to its rivals financially.
“Obviously, the ranking was very favorable toward South Carolina,” Hyman said this week. “I don’t know that there’s anything like that that’s done in our business. It’s sort of unique.”



http://www.thestate.com/gamecocks/story/281399.html

[Blitzer]

Schwartz’s article noted that 16 of the 20 teams have undergone major stadium expansions or renovations in the past decade. Three other schools, including USC, have discussed expansion. Besides adding more seats, expansions provide schools several lucrative opportunities: new luxury suites, club seating and personal seat license plans.
“Suites are definitely the preference of these programs because luxury suites are a relatively new revenue stream that were virtually untapped a couple decades ago,” Schwartz said.
Such expansion projects cost upward of $100 million, yet Hyman said the Forbes rankings do not factor in the debt athletics departments take on to update their facilities.



I guess this debunks the theory that Clemson is not on the list due to their debt from the West End Zone. Maybe they just suck.