OU, OSU revenue figures released
USA Today Sports released the 2015-16 finances for NCAA Division I programs on Thursday. Oklahoma ranked sixth in revenue, and Oklahoma State ranked 37th.
It should come as no surprise, but Oklahoma athletics are pretty profitable.
USA Today Sports released the 2015-16 finances for NCAA Division I programs, and OU athletics check in at No. 6 in revenue.
The Sooners earned $150,373,216 in total revenue that year, up from $134,269,349 the previous year. OU’s expenses were $127.4 million.
The biggest boost to the revenue was a large jump in contributions. From 2015 to 2016, OU gained $14.5 million in contributions, bringing the 2016 total to $46.6 million. The increase in contributions was likely fueled by the fundraising for the renovations to the south end zone of Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
The Sooners’ total expenses also increased from 2015 to 2016, rising by nearly $4.3 million. The gain wasn’t nearly as large as it was from 2014 to 2015, when expenses jumped by almost $10 million.
Texas’ athletics checked in with the second-highest revenue in the country and first in the Big 12, raking in $187.9 million. The Longhorns also had the most expenses in the conference — and the NCAA — at $171.4 million. West Virginia was third in the conference with a revenue of $105.1 million.
Texas A&M athletics topped the list, bringing in a whopping $194.4 million. Ohio State, Alabama and Michigan rounded out the rest of the top-5.
Oklahoma State checked in at No. 37 nationally in revenue with $93,672,676, down about $2.2 million from a year ago. Its total expenses were $92,926,534, also a drop of $217,862 from 2015.
OSU was the Big 12’s fourth-leading earner, just ahead of Kansas ($90,658,829).
OU, OSU Big 12 Media Days schedule, players announced
In less than two weeks,
Lincoln Riley will step to the podium at Big 12 Media Days for the first time as the Oklahoma football head coach.
He might be a rookie at the event, but he’ll have at least one media day veteran with him. Baker Mayfield, who also attended last year’s Big 12 Media Day, is one of four OU football players representing the Sooners this year in Frisco, Texas.
OU will also bring offensive lineman Orlando Brown, linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and safety Steven Parker for OU’s availability on July 17. Iowa State, Kansas, TCU and Texas Tech will also speak with the media on that Monday.
Riley will hold his press conference at 12:25 p.m. on July 17. The player breakout sessions will begin at 2:30 p.m.
Mike Gundy and Oklahoma State will address the media on July 18, the second day of the event. The Cowboys will bring quarterback
Mason Rudolph, punter Zach Sinor, wide receiver James Washington and linebacker
Chad Whitener. Texas, Baylor, Kansas State and West Virginia will also be featured on that Tuesday
Extra OU football season tickets to go on sale
With the Big 12 reducing the number of tickets allotted for visitors from 4,000 to 3,000, 1,000 additional OU football season tickets will go on sale July 11.
“This presents a new opportunity for Sooner football fans,” OU Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione said in a release. “They can join the ranks of season tickets holders on the heels of a Sugar Bowl victory and back-to-back Big 12 Championships, and also usher in the exciting Lincoln Riley era.”
Tickets, which will provide admission to all six home games, will be $455 each and will be available for purchase on SoonerSports.com or through phone orders at 405325-4668 or in person at the OU Athletics Ticket Office at 10 a.m. on July 11.