Strategy Simplified S22E2: The Business of College Football
Jan 21, 2026
Namaan Mian, a business analyst, dives into the intricate economics of college football. He thoroughly explores six key revenue streams fueling athletic departments, like media deals and ticket sales, while emphasizing how performance directly correlates with financial success. Mian also discusses the controversial impact of NIL deals and the strategic investments universities must make in coaching and program alignment to stay competitive. He paints a picture of the high-stakes environment university leaders navigate, balancing finances and sports performance.
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Six Revenue Engines Drive College Football
- Modern college football revenue rests on six engines: media rights, game-day, licensing, donations, sponsorships, and NCAA payouts.
- Competitiveness on the field directly amplifies every one of those revenue streams and brand premium.
Conference Media Deals Magnify Wins
- Media and TV contracts are negotiated at conference level and dominate athletic budgets.
- Better teams win more primetime slots and higher per-game payouts, linking on-field success to conference bargaining power.
Game-Day Revenue Scales With Success
- Game-day monetization includes ticketing, premium seating, concessions, and parking.
- Higher performance raises utilization and pricing power for live-event revenues.