Just over a year ago, longtime Alabama head coach Nick Saban announced his shocking retirement from collegiate football. Following a lengthy coaching search, the school selected Washington’s Kalen DeBoer to oversee the program after he led the Huskies to a national championship appearance. The Crimson Tide struggled on the field, finishing just 9-4 in DeBoer’s first season, including an embarrassing loss to the Michigan Wolverines.
As the Tide moved from the renowned Saban, who brought six national championships to Tuscaloosa, to DeBoer, the program – and the institution – suffered a massive financial loss. According to 247Sports, the University of Alabama’s athletics department recorded a $27.9 million loss for the fiscal year 2023-24. Total operating revenue was $234 million, while total operating expenses were $262 million.
“The net loss reported for the year was largely due to one-time expenses associated with the football coaching transition,” according to the school’s annual statement. Here’s more on the football program’s finances, which showed a profit yet a huge loss year after year. Alabama’s football program had a $26.4 million profit, down from $46 million in 2023 and $52 million in 2022. Football operational revenues grew from $129 million in 2023 to $140 million in 2024, while operating expenses went from $83 million to $113 million.
Alabama spent $65 million on coaches’ wages, with $47 million going to the football program alone following Saban’s departure. The athletic department lost $12 million in 2022-23.
