Billionaire Mike Repole on NOBULL; College Coaches Making Millions Powering Big Wins

Join hosts Michael Barr and Vanessa Perdomo for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports.

When the Indiana Hoosiers and Miami Hurricanes took the field to battle for the college football national championship, the most important investment made by either team never took a single snap on the field.

Indiana University had never claimed a national title in football. Until this season, it hadn’t played in a major bowl game in decades. And while the University of Miami was a football powerhouse in the 1980s and ‘90s, it last won a championship in 2001.

Both schools have showered lavish pay packages on head coaches credited with turning their programs around. Indiana’s Curt Cignetti, who took the helm in late 2023, earns average annual compensation of $11.6 million. Miami’s Mario Cristobal is in the middle of a 10-year deal that pays just over $8 million annually. Boosters have been delighted with the results, including Indiana's big win.

On this episode, hear from:

• Bloomberg News higher education finance reporter Janet Lorin on the rising cost of paying college coaches
• Billionaire entrepreneur Mike Repole on his career from Vitamin Water and Body Armor beverages through his latest big venture with NOBULL, and his partnership on the company with Tom Brady.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.