The 10 Wealthiest and Most Recognizable Teams in College Football

Brian Scott

Contributor Written on November 20, 2009

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In addition to using statistics from two sources, I will use my own perception of teams' national image to rank the Top 10 wealthiest and most recognizable brands in college football.

The two sources I will compile important statistics from include the following:

(1) The Equity in Athletics report from the U.S. Department of Education
(http://ope.ed.gov/athletics/GetOneInstitutionData.aspx)

Using the data from this site, I will report how much each of my Top 10 teams had generated in football revenues.

(2) The Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC)
(http://www.clc.com/clcweb/publishing.nsf/Content/First+Quarter+Rankings+2009-2010)

On Nov. 11, 2009, the Collegiate Licensing Company released their list of the top selling universities in collegiate gear, apparel, etc.

While the CLC does not represent schools, such as Ohio State or Southern California, I will utilize its rankings of the top selling brands.

After these two sources, I will provide "My National Brand Ranking." The basis of this ranking has to do with the overall identity of the program. That is, is the program merely a regional power in terms of brand, or a national icon? For example, Ohio State is undoubtedly a national brand (top 3), while Georgia is probably more of a very strong regional power (top 10).

Honorable Mention

Some schools that just missed the cut:

Nebraska

Oregon

Auburn

Tennessee

Virginia Tech

Florida State

Miami

No. 10- USC/Oklahoma

SoCal at a glance:

Football Revenues: $35.2 million

CLC Ranking: CLC does not represent USC

My National Brand Ranking: Top Five

Oklahoma at a Glance:

Football Revenues: $42.6 million

CLC Ranking: Ninth

My National Brand Ranking: Top 10

No. 9- Notre Dame

Notre Dame at a glance:

Football Revenues: $59.8 million

CLC Ranking: 10th

My National Brand Ranking: Top Three

No. 8- Michigan

Michigan at a glance:

Football Revenues: $52.2 million

CLC Ranking: Seventh

My National Brand Ranking: Top Five

No. 7- Penn State

Penn State at a glance:

Football Revenues: $61.8 million

CLC Ranking: Eighth

My National Brand Ranking: Top 10

Additional Notes: Having Joe Paterno as coach helps attract media exposure.

No. 6- LSU

LSU at a glance:

Football Revenues: $52.7 million

CLC Ranking: Fourth

My National Brand Ranking: Top 10

Additional Notes: LSU is tied with Florida for the most BCS Titles.

No. 5- Alabama

Alabama at a glance:

Football Revenues: $64.6 million

CLC Ranking: Fifth

My National Brand Ranking: Top 10

Additional Notes: Alabama has one of the highest paid and visible coaches in college football in Nick Saban, and has a very storied football history.

No. 4- Georgia

Georgia at a glance:

Football Revenues: $65.2 million

CLC Ranking: Third

My National Brand Ranking: Top 10

Additional Notes: Combined with a consistently good football program, Georgia has one of the most recognizable logos (Georgia G) in college sports and one of the most famous mascots in all sports (UGA I-VII)

No. 3- Florida

Florida at a glance:

Football Revenues: $66.1 million

CLC Ranking: Second

My National Brand Ranking: Top Five

Additional Notes: Florida has won two of the last three BCS Titles, has one of the more popular players in the game in Tim Tebow, and may win a third BCS Title in four years this year.

Their stretch of dominance under Coach Steve Spurrier in the '90s also helps.

No. 2- Ohio State

Ohio State at a glance:

Football Revenues: $68.2 million

CLC Ranking: Not represented by CLC

My National Brand Ranking: Top Three

Additional Notes: Ohio State is the largest main campus in the U.S.A. Having the largest alumni base in the nation and a long history of winning helps the Buckeyes.

No. 1- Texas

Texas at a glance:

Football Revenues: $87.6 million

CLC Ranking: First

My National Brand Ranking: Top Three

Additional Notes: Texas has one of the most recognizable logos in sports.
$87.6 million in football revenues?!? That is ridiculous.

Texas combines wealth and identity better than any NCAA program it seems.

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written on November 20, 2009 Rankings/List

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The 10 Wealthiest and Most Recognizable Teams in College Football

Brian Scott

Honorable Mention

No. 10- USC/Oklahoma

No. 9- Notre Dame

No. 8- Michigan

No. 7- Penn State

No. 6- LSU

No. 5- Alabama

No. 4- Georgia

No. 3- Florida

No. 2- Ohio State