SEC schools received on average more than $40 million in revenue in 2015-16, an increase of nearly 20 percent from last season the league announced Thursday.
The 14 member institutions divided about approximately $584.2 million in total revenue for the 2015-16 fiscal year which ended August 31, 2016. That figure includes $565.9 million distributed from the conference office as well as more than $18 million retained by the schools that participated in 2015-16 bowl games to offset travel and bowl expenses.
That’s nearly a 22 percent increase from the previous year’s mark of $475.8 million distributed in 2014-15 with member schools receiving on average $32.7 million.
The increase in revenue that season could be attributed to the creation of the SEC Network.
National college football writer Matt Murschel and sports editor Brant Parsons recap Clemson’s thrilling 35-31 victory over Alabama in the College Football Playoff national championship at Raymond’s James Stadium in Tampa.
National college football writer Matt Murschel and sports editor Brant Parsons recap Clemson’s thrilling 35-31 victory over Alabama in the College Football Playoff national championship at Raymond’s James Stadium in Tampa.
National college football writer Matt Murschel and sports editor Brant Parsons recap Clemson’s thrilling 35-31 victory over Alabama in the College Football Playoff national championship at Raymond’s James Stadium in Tampa.
National college football writer Matt Murschel and sports editor Brant Parsons recap Clemson’s thrilling 35-31 victory over Alabama in the College Football Playoff national championship at Raymond’s James Stadium in Tampa.
Clemson players and fans celebrate the Tigers 2016-17 national championship win over Alabama Monday, Jan. 9, 2017.
Clemson players and fans celebrate the Tigers 2016-17 national championship win over Alabama Monday, Jan. 9, 2017.
Clemson celebrated their national title twice after a replay review added one more play.
Clemson celebrated their national title twice after a replay review added one more play.
National college football writer Matt Murschel and sports columnist Mike Bianchi talk about what happened at the College Football Playoff national championship media day featuring Alabama and Clemson.
National college football writer Matt Murschel and sports columnist Mike Bianchi talk about what happened at the College Football Playoff national championship media day featuring Alabama and Clemson.
Video: Clemson’s Dabo Swinney after winning national championship
Video: Clemson’s Dabo Swinney after winning national championship
“This distribution from the SEC helps our universities’ athletics programs continue to fully support broad-based opportunities for thousands of female and male student-athletes in all sports,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement.
The 2015-16 fiscal year was the first one in which autonomous conferences like the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and ACC funded an athlete’s full cost of attendance.
“This revenue distribution provides SEC institutions the flexibility to invest in unique and significant ways that provide positive outcomes across their respective campuses,” Sankey said. “Besides providing superior support in coaching, equipment, training, academic counseling, medical care and life-skills development for student-athletes, athletics programs in the SEC have been known to provide significant financial support to the academic side of their institutions, whether in the direct transfer of funds, in assistance with the construction and renovation of academic facilities or in support of academic scholarship opportunities or academic programs.”
The distribution amount does not include approximately $1 million of academic enhancement payments paid directly from the NCAA and divided equally among the 14 member institutions.
The SEC has seen a steady increase in revenue distribution — nearly 240 percent from the $165.9 million given out in 2009 to the $565.9 million distributed in 2015-16.
mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Follow Matt Murschel on Twitter at @osmattmurschel or like his Facebook page for more college football coverage.
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