re: Annual look at NCAA Division I public schools' athletics revenues and expenses

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Keep in mind, some of those 'expenses' are probably balance sheet items that they are allowed to write-off (facility improvements, purchase of an airplane, etc). So while it looks like Texas doesn't make much profit on their bazzilion dollar revenue, my guess is a lot of those expenses are items that improve their program. It's not just dollars flying out the window.

The most impressive numbers to me are Texas A & M. Crazy revenue and crazy profit. Those guys spend money. It's not like they're hording it. They are killing it over there financially.

And for those that have said there is room for LSU to lower cost or give some perks to fans based on the profit shown. Take a look at the list above LSU and see how many SEC (and SEC West) school are up there. Those programs are not going to reduce prices and slow down. If you want to keep up, you better keep up.

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Comparing numbers between athletic departments is really difficult because they all report things differently, so it's not always apples to apples.

A&M's revenues are a little bit inflated by stadium capital contributions--but those are phasing out (most were over 5 years, some over 7). My best guess is that about $25-30 million of A&M's revenue in that figure is from the capital campaign, and you will see that figure coming back in line a bit more, but as long as oil prices are good, the AD will find outlets for folks to give money (e.g., another baseball park renovation is in the works--last one was done in 2012).

As to the folks over in Austin, their expenses really are that high--they spend like drunken sailors on everything, down to designer pillows for their offices (I'm not kidding you on that). Their new AD actually laid off some folks for the first time, and he's got a long way to go before he stops all the leakage.