The rich keep getting richer in college athletics.
Texas' athletic department maintained the top spot in the country in terms of total revenue for the 2012-13 fiscal year, according to recently published data in USA Today's College Finances Database.
The Longhorns took in $165.6 million in revenue according to the most recent figures for the public school in Austin, an increase of nearly $2.4 million from the year prior. The program has been a mainstay atop the annual list in recent years and saw a nearly $20 million surplus to lead the country in that department, as well. Texas was also one of just seven athletic departments that did not receive a subsidy from their university.
All those impressive numbers are one reason why Texas led the way in a recent CFB 24/7 look at the most valuable college football programs.
While it was not surprising to see the burnt orange atop the revenue standings, the presence of Wisconsin in the No. 2 spot is sure to draw a few second looks. The Badgers took in $149.1 million in revenue during the same period but saw only a small surplus. The increasingly rich Big Ten television contract is no doubt one of the reasons why the program has vaulted to the upper echelon, but a Wisconsin State Journal report last month said a good portion of the revenue can be attributed to record fundraising to the tune of $58.9 million.
Considering the team was coming off three straight Rose Bowl appearances, that's not exactly shocking to hear.
In total, 13 athletic departments brought in over $100 million in total revenue during 2012-13. The SEC and Big Ten had five programs each in that group, followed by the Big 12 (2) and Pac-12 (1). Private universities, such as USC and Vanderbilt, were not included in the database.
The numbers for all of the athletic departments in the power five conferences figure to continue to grow in the coming years as more and more television revenue is distributed. The Pac-12 recently reported a record $334 million in total revenue for the same 2012-13 fiscal year, their first under a 12-year, $3 billion rights deal with ESPN and Fox. Conference networks, including the upcoming SEC Network, figure to line the pockets of schools even more in the coming years.
The growing amount of money involved in college athletics will be front and center in the news over the coming months as the NCAA heads to court in the much publicized Ed O'Bannon student-athlete likeness case. The trial is set to begin on June 9th in Oakland, California.
In the mean time, new Texas athletic director Steve Patterson and others in Austin can celebrate yet another year on top of the athletics money mountain.
*Follow Bryan Fischer on Twitter **@BryanDFischer.*
