The inaugural College Football Playoff was a smash-hit for advertisers and sponsors, no matter how you slice it. But according to documents obtained by CBS Sports' Jon Solomon, it's also an expensive production.
Ohio State spent $4.4 million on its championship run, compared to Oregon's $3.8 million. (Chump change, considering the CFP playoff pays out $50 million to each Power Five conference and $6 million per school.)
For perspective, Ohio State brought 681 people to Dallas under its flag.
OSU sold the most tickets of any team involved. At the Sugar Bowl, the Buckeyes sold 12,598 tickets (9,313 tickets at $175, 2,801 at $250, and 484 at $200). At the championship , Ohio State sold 18,955 tickets (85% for $450).
For comparison, Oregon sold 17,321 tickets (80% for $450).
The championship food and lodging scorecard was as lopsided as the actual score. Ohio State more than doubled the Ducks, spending $648,678 in meals and lodging in Dallas, compared to Oregon's $218,664.
But fret not, Alabama fans, for your team actually did win a championship in 2014. No school meant more on a single game than Alabama in the Sugar Bowl ($2.6 million).
Ohio State spent $558,000 less than that, despite the fact Tuscaloosa is only a four-hour drive from New Orleans. (Alabama wants the CFP committee to eye more bench passes and complimentary gifts for its coaches and support staff).
