Most Profitable Tournament Teams
By Darren Rovell
Posted 14 March 2010
Which 2010 NCAA men’s basketball tournament team pulls in the most money?
Each year, schools are required to file their profits with the US government as part of their Equity in Athletics requirement, presented here are the most recent information available, from the 2008-09 season. The numbers are based on the school’s own reporting and each school classifies its costs and profits differently.
Duke, for example, reported a $2 million loss for its basketball program last year and so they have not made it onto this list. The Blue Devils did not, in fact, lose money. Duke says that some revenue pulled in was not specifically assigned back to the basketball program, and instead sent to other areas of the school.
So, which NCAA tournament teams are the most profitable? Click ahead to find out!
15. Xavier Musketeers
Profit reported: $4,853,052
Shoe & Apparel Deal: Nike
Arena: Cintas Center
Capacity: 10,250
14. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Profit reported: $5,334,856
Shoe & Apparel Deal: Nike/Russell Athletic
Arena: Alexander Memorial Coliseum
Capacity: 9,191
13. Pittsburgh Panthers
Profit reported: $5,762,520
Shoe & Apparel Deal: Nike
Arena: Petersen Events Center
Capacity: 12,508
12. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Profit reported: $5,886,238
Shoe & Apparel Deal: Nike
Arena: Gallagher-Iba Arena
Capacity: 13,611
11. Maryland Terrapins
Profit reported: $5,902,659
Shoe & Apparel Deal: Underarmour
Arena: Comcast Center
Capacity: 17,950
10. Kentucky Wildcats
Profit reported: $6,157,308
Shoe & Apparel Deal: Nike
Arena: Rupp Arena
Capacity: 23,000
9. Michigan State Spartans
Profit reported: $6,561,127
Shoe & Apparel Deal: Nike
Arena: Breslin Student Events Center
Capacity: 16,280
8. Texas Longhorns
Profit reported: $6,878,617
Shoe & Apparel Deal: Nike
Arena: Frank Erwin Center
Capacity: 16,755
7. Tennessee Volunteers
Profit reported: $7,111,804
Shoe & Apparel Deal: Adidas
Arena: Thompson-Boling Arena
Capacity: 21,000
6. Kansas Jayhawks
Profit reported: $7,517,783
Shoe & Apparel Deal: Adidas
Arena: Allen Fieldhouse
Capacity: 16,300
5. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Profit reported: $7,843,045
Shoe & Apparel Deal: Nike
Arena: Williams Arena
Capacity: 14,625
4. Syracuse Orange
Profit reported: $9,032,878
Shoe & Apparel Deal: Nike
Arena: Carrier Dome
Capacity: 33,633
3. Wisconsin Badgers
Profit reported: $9,454,260
Shoe & Apparel Deal: Adidas
Arena: Kohl Center
Capacity: 17,190
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
Profit reported: $11,417,941
Shoe & Apparel Deal: Nike
Arena: Jerome Schottenstein Center
Capacity: 19,200
1. Louisville Cardinals
Profit reported: $16,869,659
Shoe & Apparel Deal: Adidas
Arena: Freedom Hall*
Capacity: 18,865
*The Cardinals played their final game in Freedom Hall on March 6, 2010