Mississippi State Athletics Department Ranks Among the Best Financially in the SEC

The Bulldogs' athletic program is ranked as one of the most financially successful and fiscally fit programs in the SEC.

Mississippi State's athletics department has shown to be one of the most profitable in the SEC over the past five years.

According to an annual report from USA Today, Mississippi State has exceeded a school-record $112 million in revenue, with expenditures of around $99 million. The school will end up with a profit of $13,441,134 from the previous academic year.

Mississippi State ranks 11th out of 13 reporting schools in total revenue, which out-ranks other SEC schools such as Alabama, Ole Miss and Missouri. Those programs have posted a loss of profit within the same time period. 

Alabama operated at a loss of a little over $21 million dollars for the year, which ranks as the worst in the SEC. Meanwhile, Ole Miss posted a loss of nearly $4.6 million, while Missouri's losses tallied almost $1.8 million.

Mississippi State ranked as one of five SEC schools to post more than a $10 million dollar profit, the others being Auburn, Georgia, Florida and Texas A&M. MSU was also the only program in SEC to spend less than $100 million on athletics.

Of the 227 schools listed on in USA Today's report, Mississippi State ranked 30th nationally in total athletic revenue, while also turning a $10 million+ profit for the fourth straight year. 

In the report, the Bulldogs also rank above notable, large market athletic programs in terms of total athletic revenue, including Arizona, North Carolina and UCLA.

During former athletic director John Cohen's tenure at Mississippi State, the Bulldogs' athletic revenue increased every year. Despite having a lower athletic budget within the SEC, MSU continues to perform well financially. With a new regime under AD Zac Selmon and a new wave of coaches leading the way, the Bulldogs will likely continue to make large profits for the foreseeable future.


Published
Colin James
COLIN JAMES