Southeastern Conference Announces Record Revenue

Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey announced Thursday that $596.9 million of total revenue was divided among the league's 14 institutions for the 2016-17 fiscal year that ended Aug. 31.

Each SEC school received slightly more than $40.9 million.

"This distribution from the SEC is instrumental to our universities and their athletics programs' ability to provide the highest possible level of support for the thousands of student-athletes who participate annually in nearly two dozen conference sports," Sankey said in a release. "This commitment to excellence encompasses superior support in coaching, equipment, training, academic counseling, medical care and life-skills development for our student-athletes."

The total revenue for 2016-17 is an increase from the record $584.2 million distributed in 2015-16, and the per-school distribution represents an increase over the $40.4 million in 2015-16.

Revenue totals stem from television agreements, bowl games, the College Football Playoff, the SEC football championship, the SEC men's basketball tournament, NCAA championships and a supplemental surplus distribution.

"The revenues generated from SEC sports are instrumental to advancing the academic missions of our 14 member institutions," Sankey added. "Whether in the direct transfer of funds, in assistance with the construction and renovation of academic facilities, or in support of academic scholarship opportunities or academic programs, these distributions are designed to provide each university with the flexibility to invest in unique and significant ways that provide positive outcomes across their respective campuses."

The 2016-17 academic year was the second in which SEC schools funded costs associated with providing scholarships based on a student-athlete's full cost of attendance while expanding the availability of lifetime educational opportunities to former student-athletes as allowed by the NCAA as a result of measures by the Power Five conferences (SEC, Atlantic Coast, Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac-12).

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.

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