The University of Texas Longhorns are once again the most valuable college football team in the nation. Valued with a net worth of $131 million, the team managed to hold onto the top position despite a six percent drop in net worth from 2013.
The drop in net worth comes mostly from the expenses of the retirement of former head coach Mack Brown and the buyout costs associated with hiring the new coach Charlie Strong according to Forbes Magazine. The cost of the coaching transition took up most of the $10.8 million in increased spending from the prior year.
Despite a so-so season where the Longhorns currently sit with a 6-6 record the team raked in $34 million in ticket sales and an additional $31 million in football related contributions.
The franchise has led the nation in retail brand power for the past ten years according to the Austin Business Journal. Royalties from UT branded clothing, sports gear and even office chairs continue to roll in from year to year contributing to the value of the sports team.
The Longhorns need to keep looking over their shoulder however as the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame are sneaking up to intercept the title from UT. The Irish are currently sitting in the number 2 spot with a value of $122 million.
The remaining top-five team include Michigan ($117 million), Alabama ($107 million) and LSU ($103 million). The SEC leads the top ten positions with a solid 5 teams in the top rankings.
The Texas A&M Aggies came in 14th place in the rankings with a team value of $72 million. This is the first time for the Aggies to make the Forbes list. Forbes attributed the new position to the team’s new affiliation with the SEC along with revenues from a Cotton Bowl appearance.
Bob Price is a senior political news contributor for Breitbart Texas and a member of the original Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX.
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