Ohio State was just one of 24 public school athletic departments deemed self-sufficient by the NCAA in 2013-14, according to a report by USA TODAY Sports on Friday.
Self-sufficiency, by the NCAA's definition, means an athletic department's revenue is at least equal to its operating expenses. Ohio State ranked fifth in total revenue, bringing in more than $145.2 million in 2013-14. The university had $113.9 million in expenses.
By the NCAA's benchmark for self-sufficiency, just 24 of 230 public schools in Division I stand on their own, up from 20 a year earlier, according to an analysis of the 2013-14 school year by USA TODAY Sports, based on data gathered in conjunction withIndiana University's National Sports Journalism Center.
By NCAA definition, self-sufficiency means an athletic department's generated operating revenues — not counting money from student fees, university funding or direct government support — are at least equal to its total operating expenses, which is legalese for taking in more money than you spend.
Oregon ranked No. 1 on the list in total revenue, bringing in $196 million. In addition to Ohio State, other schools in the top five in revenue were Texas ($161 million), Michigan ($157.8 million) and Alabama ($153.2 million).
Texas ($154.1 million), Michigan ($142.5 million), Auburn ($126.4 million), Wisconsin ($125 million) and LSU ($122.9 million) ranked in the top five for total expenses.
Per the report, all 24 public schools who were deemed self-sufficient came from either the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 or Pac-12. No ACC or non-Power Five athletic programs met the NCAA's benchmark for self-sufficiency.
The full finance report from USA TODAY Sports can be viewed here.
