A new CBS Sports survey of Power Four athletics directors, general managers, personnel executives, salary cap experts, agents and boosters found that multiple programs are paying their football rosters $40 million or more.
According to CBS Sports, at least one front office staffer at one school included on the list said their roster spend is up 50% in 2026 compared to 2024.
Teams were able to hit the high payouts by double-dipping when collective dollars and revenue share dollars collided for a short window last year. But CBS reports that the salaries never dropped after that period ended. They've only spiked.
"Here's the thing: If you have a pretty comfortable chunk of players that are solid, but then you have six to seven high-dollar kids, it's hard not to (be in the $40 million range)," one Power Four general manager told CBS Sports. "That shit adds up quick."
LSU, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Oregon, USC, Texas and Texas A&M are all believed to have hit or exceeded the $40 million mark.
The report also identifies Georgia, Michigan, Ole Miss, Tennessee and USC as being just off the $40 million mark.
