An analysis conducted by Indiana University Columbus associate professor of finance Ryan Brewer shows that the University of Alabama and Auburn University football programs are valued among the highest in the nation.
The Alabama Crimson Tide are valued at $846 million (11th overall), followed by in-state rival Auburn University, valued at $843 million (12th overall).
According to the report by The Wall Street Journal's Andrew Beaton, Brewer's study analyzes the program's finances and evaluates each college football program as if it were a professional sports franchise that could be bought and sold.
"Brewer looks at top-line revenues, growth and drivers of cash flow and makes projections about the sustainability of the operation, just as he would with any other business. It isn't a mere one-year snapshot, either—he combed through years of data for 131 major college football programs, from the heavyweights all the way down to Louisiana-Monroe," Beaton wrote. "Then, after breaking down everything from television viewership to trends in enrollment, his spreadsheet finally spits out an answer."
The Ohio State Buckeyes, coming off a national championship, are the country's most valuable "franchise," with a price tag of nearly $2 billion.
The University of Texas Longhorns ranked second in the Southeastern Conference, with a valuation of nearly $1.9 billion.
Also included among the top SEC schools is the University of Georgia at $1.3 billion (4th overall), LSU at $1 billion (6th overall), the University of Tennessee at $1 billion (8th overall), Texas A&M University at $1 billion (9th overall) and the University of Oklahoma at $881 million (10th overall).
Other Alabama schools ranked in the study were UAB at $26 million (110th overall), Troy at $25 million (111th overall), South Alabama at $24 million (114th overall) and Jacksonville State at $20 million (120th overall).
Jeff Poor is the editor in chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
