Inside College Football’s Billion-Dollar Club: The Athletic Ranks Top 25 Most Valuable Programs of 2025 💰🏈
What if college football programs could be bought and sold like NFL or NBA teams? That’s the wild scenario The Athletic explored in its latest rankings a bold projection of what the top 25 most valuable college football programs would be worth if private equity firms could purchase them like professional franchises.
Using actual financial data from recent pro sports team sales — with NFL and NBA valuations applied to SEC and Big Ten schools, and MLB/NHL multipliers used for ACC and Big 12 — The Athletic constructed a compelling list based on revenue, brand prestige, fanbase size, championships, facilities, and population trends. The results? Some eye-popping figures, and a clear picture of college football’s current financial titans.
Let’s take a deep dive into the billion-dollar empire of college football.
No. 1 — Texas: $2.38 Billion
The Longhorns top the list as the only program valued above $2 billion. Texas leads all in football revenue, boasts a massive recruiting base in the heart of football country, and features one of the most iconic brands in sports. Add in their SEC move, and their stock is through the roof.
No. 2 — Georgia: $1.92 Billion
The back-to-back national titles and growing population in Georgia contribute to the Bulldogs’ No. 2 ranking. Their recent dominance under Kirby Smart has solidified their position among college football’s elite both on the field and on the financial spreadsheet.
No. 3 — Ohio State: $1.90 Billion
Dubbed “recession-proof” by The Athletic, the Buckeyes are fresh off a national championship and are riding a wave of heightened fan support. Increased home games and television exposure helped bump Ohio State into the top three.
No. 4 — Notre Dame: $1.85 Billion
Despite not being in a Power Four conference, Notre Dame remains one of the most powerful brands in college athletics. With a nationwide fanbase and playoff appearances in recent years, their value is on par with SEC and Big Ten heavyweights.
No. 5 — Michigan: $1.83 Billion
The Wolverines boast the largest stadium and arguably the biggest fan base in the sport. Although Ohio State edges them in value, Michigan’s recent on-field success has boosted their ranking and affirmed their elite status.
No. 6 — Alabama: $1.74 Billion
Alabama’s dynasty under Nick Saban earns them elite valuation status. With 13x revenue multipliers applied, the Crimson Tide’s legacy of championships places them alongside the sport’s most prestigious and financially dominant programs.
No. 7 — Oklahoma: $1.49 Billion
The Sooners have a storied past, especially in the Big 12, and are now adjusting to life in the SEC. While 2024 raised some eyebrows, Oklahoma’s long-term value remains high, thanks to historical consistency and a national brand.
No. 8 — USC: $1.40 Billion
A Big Ten move boosts the Trojans’ profile. While they haven’t returned to 2000s dominance, their location in Los Angeles, historic brand, and access to major media markets make USC a valuable blue-chip property.
No. 9 — Tennessee: $1.37 Billion
The Vols rank among the most profitable in recent fiscal reports, outpacing even Alabama in revenue. With renewed momentum under Josh Heupel, Tennessee’s football stock is trending up fast.
No. 10 — LSU: $1.23 Billion
Championship pedigree, passionate fan base, and consistent relevance in the SEC land LSU a top-10 valuation. Their average football revenue ranks 13th nationally, but their brand and location keep them among the elite.
Programs Just Outside the Top 10
- Penn State – $1.20B
- Florida – $1.08B
- Auburn – $1.06B
- Oregon – $990M
- Texas A&M – $973M
- Washington – $970M
- Nebraska – $930M
- Florida State – $867M
- Wisconsin – $801M
- Iowa – $709M
- Michigan State – $708M
- Clemson – $665M
- Arkansas – $646M
- Miami – $604M
- Ole Miss – $591M
💼 What This Means
The rankings aren’t based on pure wins and losses — they’re about long-term brand strength, media reach, fan loyalty, financial discipline, and positioning for future realignment and media deals. In other words, these are the blue-chip stocks of college football.
While some historic programs like Nebraska and Florida State fell just outside the top 10, their presence still speaks volumes about legacy value. Others, like Texas A&M and Washington, are primed for growth with new conference affiliations.
The gap between the top programs and the rest of the sport is widening both on the scoreboard and on the balance sheet. With realignment, expanded playoffs, and NIL fueling the next phase of college football’s evolution, these financial powerhouses will only get stronger.
As The Athletic’s experiment shows, college football has never been more like the pros. And in this game of billion-dollar brands, only the biggest names survive.
💬 Which school surprised you the most? Who’s rising next?
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