According to The Tuscaloosa News/USA TODAY Network’s annual NCAA financial report, Alabama’s athletics posted a surplus of $18.5 million in fiscal 2022. But according to UA, a “significant portion of that profit” will be used to fund existing debt from projects that have already been completed.
UA Athletics reported total operating income of $214.37 million and operating expenses of $195.88 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022.
Operating income of $214.37 million is by far the highest in Alabama to date, not adjusted for inflation. But adjusted for inflation, it’s second-biggest after fiscal 2020, which had $189.3 million in operating income. That money would have equated to about $217.6 million in June 2022, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index Inflation Calculator.
The $18.5 million surplus is the largest since 2016, when it was $18.7 million.
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Operating income increased by approximately $35 million from 2021-2022. Spending also increased by about $25 million. From the 2021 financial year, a jump in sales can be expected in view of limited capacities due to the pandemic with drastically limited ticket income.
UA Athletics made $9.6 million in profit for fiscal 2021, but that was thanks in part to an SEC-wide $23 million bailout. In fiscal 2021, Alabama brought in $179.8 million but had operating expenses of $170.2 million.
Here’s a closer look at some notable numbers from the 2022 financial report.
How much Nick Saban’s team has done for Alabama
UA Football brought in $130.87 million of the $214.37 million in revenue. It also cost $78.5 million in total cost of ownership. So, a net profit of $52.35 million was attributed to football.
Despite having this surplus for football, Alabama has significant amounts of operating income and expenses that are not attributed to any particular sport.
How Alabama’s operating income has performed compared to some other schools
Not all schools have released their financial reports yet, but Ohio State is among the top performers so far with $251.62 million in operating income. Texas ($239.29 million), Michigan ($210.65 million), and LSU ($199.31 million) are some of the others in the Crimson Tide neighborhood.
This data is collected by USA TODAY in partnership with the Knight-Newhouse Data Project at Syracuse University.
How much the Nate Oats roster has made of Alabama
The men’s basketball team was credited with $19.05 million in operating income. With $10.9 million in operating expenses, the Crimson Tide generated a net income of $8.15 million.
That’s an increase from $5.33 million in fiscal 2021.
As with football, it is important to note that there are significant amounts of operating income and expenses that are not attributed to any sport.
Contributions will increase by approximately $18 million
Alabama Athletics Director Greg Byrne and his company had a successful fundraising year.
Contributions increased from $34.81 million in 2021 to $52.33 million in 2022.
This may include amounts received from individuals, companies, associations, foundations, clubs and other organizations “designated for the operation of the athletics program.” This number can also be used by external contributors to pay debt service, rent payments or rental fees for sports facilities.
Ticket sales are increasing significantly
Alabama netted $44.21 million in ticket sales in 2022, a whopping jump from 2021 when the Crimson Tide grossed $7.41 million.
An increase was to be expected. Because of the pandemic, capacity in the stadiums was limited. Bryant Denny Stadium was limited to 20% capacity during the 2020 season, which fell in fiscal year 2021.
In 2020, ticket revenue was $39.36 million.
USA TODAY’s Steve Berkowitz contributed to this report.