Southern Methodist University, located in Dallas, Texas, committed $31,960,585 to its football teams in 2024, a 6.2% boost from the previous year, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Football team spending made up 32.1% of the school’s total athletics budget for 2024, equaling $31,960,585.
Since 2010, the university’s average sports spending has grown by 176.1%.
College football stands as one of the nation’s leading sports, with some university teams surpassing NFL franchises in both fan turnout and revenue, according to reports.
The college sports system has shifted into a new period for athlete pay, following a federal agreement letting schools distribute revenue directly to players for the first time. The settlement also obligates the NCAA to allocate $2.8 billion over 10 years to athletes who participated from 2016 forward as back damages.
In 2022, following extended legal and legislative action, athletes gained the ability to earn money through use of their names, images and likenesses, impacted by statewide legislation and updates in NCAA policy.
Football Teams’ Expenditures of Southern Methodist University in Last 5 Years
| Year | Football teams’ expenditure | % from grand total sport team expenditures |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $21,199,002 | 30.8% |
| 2021 | $21,148,167 | 32.2% |
| 2022 | $27,075,598 | 34.1% |
| 2023 | $30,108,796 | 35% |
| 2024 | $31,960,585 | 32.1% |
