Texas will reap March Madness cash
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Even though the Texas men's team crashed out early from the NCAA tournament, the university will still reap benefits because it belongs to the basketball-strong SEC conference.
What's happening: With college basketball wealth driven by TV contracts, the SEC is projected to receive a $70 million payout after March Madness.
State of play: The NCAA distributes money based on conference success in the tournament, divvying up payouts according to how many units each conference earns.
How it works: There are 132 available units, and teams earn one unit for every game they play before the final. Each unit is worth about $2 million, according to Sportico.
- The SEC started the tournament with a distinct advantage because 14 SEC teams were selected, by far the most of any conference. Seven SEC teams made the Sweet 16, four the Elite Eight, and two the Final Four.
- Payments start a year after the tournament is played and continue over six years.
- Most conferences distribute funds equally across schools; others give more money to certain teams.
Zoom in: For the most recent full fiscal year, which ended Aug. 31, 2024, the SEC distributed $808.4 million, up from $741 million in 2022-23, according to the Business of College Sports.
- Last year's payout included Oklahoma and Texas — which each received $27.5 million — since they joined the conference in July.
Zoom out: The NCAA approved a women's basketball fund this year for the first time. The pool of money is far less — $15 million.
Between the lines: These basketball earnings pale compared with how much football programs are paid.