The big business of college football in Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. ( WIAT ) — From ticket sales to merchandise, college football is big business in Alabama.

But when it all adds up, how much do colleges really make in a football season?

“Y’all, let’s get this college football season kicked off,” said Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey at an event Wednesday on the state capitol steps. Ivey proclaimed Aug. 30 as College Colors Day.

According to the Equity in Athletics Data Analysis , Auburn and Alabama football programs raked in over $125 million in revenue during the 2022-23 fiscal year. Jeff Shearer, director of strategic communications for Auburn Athletics, said football is vitally important to the campuses of Auburn and Alabama.

“People will say that athletics is the front porch of the university,” Shearer said. “And if that is true, and I would argue that it is, then football is that big swing on the front porch and that sign that says, ‘Welcome’ or ‘Y’all come in.'”

Shearer said football is the engine driving an entire athletic department.

“Those resources are used to fund an entire athletic department, which provides scholarships, travel, training, coaching and uniforms for 500-plus student-athletes,” Shearer said

Mark Ingram is the director of athletics for the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He said when it comes to football, UAB has a great economic impact on the state and region

“People have been very supportive, very generous to us in helping us relaunch football back in [2017] and continue to do that and be successful and show up to games,” Ingram said.

Higher Education Partnership of Alabama Executive Director Gordon Stone said these games benefit communities, not just colleges themselves.

“As you celebrate football season, remember you’re celebrating more than just a game,” Stone said. “You’re celebrating an institution and all the difference it makes.”

Stone said institutions in Alabama have a $20 billion annual economic impact.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.