Big Ten, SEC top $800 million in revenue as Power 5 conferences total more than $3.3 billion in 2022

Every Power 5 conference is trying to keep up with the SEC and Big Ten in terms of revenue. We now know just how much more money those leagues brought in than their competitors in 2022.

According to a report from USA Today, Power 5 conferences had a combined revenue of more than $3.3 billion in the fiscal year 2022.

USA Today was able to obtain tax records for all five Power 5 conferences. They show that the Big Ten led the way, bringing in $845.6 million last year. Big Ten schools received an average of about $58.8 million in payouts, although Nebraska, Maryland and Rutgers received several million less “because of distribution of revenue from the Big Ten Network that was earned before they became entitled to full shares,” according to USA Today.

The SEC wasn’t far behind the Big Ten, bringing in $802 million, for an average of $49.9 million per school. The SEC and Big Ten have separated themselves from the rest of the pack.

The ACC had the third-highest revenue among Power 5 schools, bringing in $617 million in 2022. While that number is in the middle of the Power 5 schools, it is well behind the SEC and Big Ten. ACC schools received between $37.9 million and $41.3 million in payouts. Notre Dame received $17.4 million for the sports it competed in. The Irish are independent in football.

Payouts for ACC programs varied due to “reimbursements for bowl travel and participation in ACC championship events,” according to USA Today.

The Pac-12 brought in the fourth-most money at $580.9 million, while the Big 12 totaled $480.6 million, which was last out of Power 5 schools.

Even though the Big 12 was fifth in terms of total revenue, it paid out the third-highest per school at between $42 million and $44.9 million, just ahead of the ACC.

While the PAC 12 was fourth in total money brought in, its average payout per school was last out of the Power 5. PAC 12 schools received about $37 million each, just behind the Big 12 and ACC.

The Big Ten and SEC will soon have an even larger margin over other conferences as both leagues recently received new television deals.