Alabama and Auburn are both part of the SEC, which automatically makes the rivals some of the top programs financially in college sports. That status was certified once again when the schools released their NCAA revenues and expenses reports for the 2023 fiscal year, which ran from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.

The reports, obtained by AL.com through open records requests, show the Crimson Tide maintaining a lead over the Tigers in both spending and earning for the fiscal year. Here’s a look at some of the key numbers reported by both athletics departments.

Tale of the tape

There really wasn’t much difference between the two schools revenue-wise. Alabama brought in $199.9 million in total revenue, though the school noted when fulfilling AL.com’s request for the revenues and expenses report that number does not include $14.3 million in gifts from FY 2023, which were collected but not expensed.

Auburn came in at $195.3 million in revenue. The Tigers had an athletics department surplus of $3.3 million.

The Crimson Tide finished at a deficit for the fiscal year, not taking into consideration the uncounted gifts. UA reported spending $212 million in FY 2023, showing a $12.1 million deficit.

Just in football, Alabama brought in $129.3 million, while the Tigers reported $126.7 million. The Tide spent $83.3 million on the state’s most popular sport, making for a $46 million surplus, with Auburn coming in at $71.1 million in football expenses and a $55 million surplus.

On men’s basketball, The Tigers outspent the Tide despite bringing in less revenue. Alabama reported spending $2.8 million on the sport, which brought in $20.6 million, while Auburn put up $4.2 million, collecting $19.2 million.

Alabama beat out Auburn in most spending categories for the fiscal year. The Tide spent $37.3 million on coaches and $38.5 million on support staff, while the Tigers came in at $32.5 million and $32.9 million respectively in those categories.

The Tide narrowly outpaced the Tigers in recruiting spending. Alabama spent $4 million department-wide, and $2.9 million on football alone,

One place that Auburn spent significantly more money was on severance. A byproduct of firing two football coaches, the Tigers reported $19.9 million in severance expenses, with $18.6 million of that coming from football alone, while Alabama spent $998,286 department-wide.

Alabama brought in more ticket sales revenue, reporting $41.9 million all told in that category. Auburn collected $32.4 million.

The Crimson Tide also had more media rights income, $55.6 million, compared to $48 million for the Tigers. Auburn didn’t bring in any football bowl revenue for the fiscal year, while Alabama collected $2 million for its win in the Sugar Bowl.

By that same token, Alabama spent more in bowl expenses, putting up $3.7 million. The Tigers, who did not make a bowl in Bryan Harsin’s final season as head coach, spent nothing.