Donovan Edwards #7 of the Michigan Wolverines hurdles a tackle attempt by Michael Taaffe #16 of the Texas Longhorns during the first half of a college football game at Michigan Stadium on September 07, 2024 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
There’s a mad dash for cash in college sports.
Between multibillion-dollar television deals, the institution of the transfer portal and the escalation of NIL —name, image and likeness — deals for athletes, college athletic programs, particularly football, have never looked more lucrative.
Now private equity and venture capital enterprises such as College Sports Tomorrow, Smash Capital and Collegiate Athletics Solutions are looking to buy in, and the schools with the most valuable athletic programs sit in the best position to capitalize.
At the very top of the heap are the schools that excel on the gridiron. According to people familiar with the economics, football generates roughly 75% of athletic program revenue at typical Power 4 schools, which include the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC conferences.
This year’s expanded, 12-team College Football Playoffs kick off Dec. 20. ESPN parent Disney signed a six-year extension in March for the rights to the games through 2031. The deal is worth an average of $1.3 billion annually, more than double the previous deal, according to media reports.
Given the fact that the SEC dominates the college football ratings, experts CNBC spoke with believe the conference will leapfrog the Big Ten with the richest television deal when its current agreement expires in 2033-34.
Private equity looks to buy in to college sports
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