The Washington Post published an article noting the top 10 athletic programs in total spending, cost per athlete, the greatest football revenues, and the top 50 schools by athletic revenues. The paper analyzed equity in athletics disclosure forms from 2007, which NCAA member institutions are required to file annually with the U.S. Department of Education. According to the report, at almost $110 million in 2007 revenues, The Ohio State University had the biggest athletic program in the land. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville had the highest cost-per-athlete to run its athletic program, at $185,858 per player. The biggest 50 athletic departments spent nearly $3.3 billion in 2007. Texas ($63.8 million) and Notre Dame ($63.7 million) collected more money from football than other top schools.
A project of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation