big bucks
Rice spends more on football than the University of Houston? Study reveals Texasfootball surprises
Both Rice University and the University of Houston ranked in the lower half ofthe football spending list.Texas Sports Image
The University of Texas ranks No. 6 in spending, but takes the top spot infootball earnings.
Given Texas' reputation as a football-centric land, you might be surprised by where its universities stand spending wise in the nation.
Using Equality in Athletics data from the U.S. Department of Education, the Memphis Business Journal ranked the 117 Division 1-A colleges playing football in 2010. Houston's two universities ranked in the latter half of the list, demonstrating a relatively modest emphasis by the schools on the profligate industry that is college football.
Texas — the top revenue-producing football program of 2010 — pulled in an absurd $95.7 million in revenue.
At No. 64, Rice University spent just over $12 million on its football program in 2010, claiming a revenue of the same amount. Game day expenses (which include lodging, meals, transportation and equipment for coaches, staff, officials and team members during home, away and neutral games) totaled just over $1 million, and expenses per player came to $9,739. The Owls finished that season with a 4-8 record.
The University of Houston spent even less on athletics in 2010. Falling in at at No. 80, the Cougars earned $7.8 million in revenue and dished out the same in expenses. Game day expenses for the team's 5-7 season totaled $1.3 million, with a total of $9,354 in expenses per player.
Meanwhile, the University of Texas — the top revenue-producing college football program of 2010, pulling in an absurd $95.7 million in revenue — ranks No. 6 on the list of expenditures at $24.5 million in 2010.
Though the Longhorns ended up with the same 5-7 season record as UH, the team shelled out just over $5 million in game day expenses and $42,789 in expenses per player — not to mention the hefty salary of head coach Mack Brown.
Texas Christian University also spent big in 2010, with a $22.6 million football expense tab that earned the private school the No. 22 on the list. The Horned Frogs, who ended the season 13-0, spent $28,618 per player.
Texas Tech University and Texas A&M University ranked No. 44 and No. 46, respectively, with more than $15.5 million in expenses each.
