The pandemic-induced financial hardships now passed, the cash is again flowing freely into big-name college athletics programs.

No more conference bailouts or limited-capacity football stadiums put SEC revenues back at levels seen before COVID-19 strained resources.

So where does Alabama land in terms of revenue among its conference peers?

Near the top, is the short version.

After reviewing financial documents filed to the NCAA from 11 of the 13 public SEC schools, Alabama’s total income topped the league. It reported $214.4 million in revenue for the fiscal year that covered July 2021-June 2022. Georgia was the only other north of $200 million at $203.0 million.

RELATED: Alabama athletics hits revenue record, outpaces SEC peers

Expanding outside the league, only Ohio State’s $251.6 million in revenue topped Alabama’s with a few more heavyweights still to report. Texas and Michigan outpaced Alabama in the last pre-pandemic revenue rankings compiled by USA Today. Alabama pulled in $189.3 million in the fiscal year that covered 2019-20 academic calendar — well below last year’s $214.4 million.

1. Alabama $214.4 million
2. Georgia $203.0
3. LSU $199.3
4. Texas A&M $193.1
5. Florida $190.4
6. Auburn $174.6
7. Tennessee $154.6
8. Arkansas $152.5
9. Missouri $141.2
10. Ole Miss $133.6
11. Miss. State $110.7

A few examples of revenue reporting from non-SEC schools at other power conferences.

• Ohio State $251.6 million
• Penn State $181.2
• West Virginia $105.2
• Colorado $94.9

The NCAA financial information was compiled through public records requests, public filings and media reports.

Football revenue

Clearly, football is the economic engine that drives SEC athletics departments. Alabama football, for example, had a 60.7% share of the total revenue in its most recent NCAA filing.

That wasn’t the highest in the SEC, however. Georgia reported $155.9 million in football-specific revenue but it’s a matter of accounting here. Under the contributions category, Georgia had $71.0 million of the $73.9 million attributed to football while Alabama had $42.6 of the $52.3 million total in the football ledger. There’s some wiggle room within that category to place donations in different baskets but it must include any contributions for favorable seating locations on season tickets.

Auburn was the only other nine-figure football money machine at $106.7 million.

The low end of the spectrum was Mississippi State who reported $39.9 million in football-specific revenue with $110.7 million for the department. South Carolina, Kentucky and Vanderbilt weren’t included in this review.

1. Georgia $155.9 million
2. Alabama $130.9
3. Auburn $106.7
4. Tennessee $99.1
5. Florida $95.6
6. LSU $95.1
7. Texas A&M $85.1
8. Arkansas $83.7
9. Ole Miss $73.8
10. Missouri $42.4
11. Miss. State $39.9

Information from South Carolina, Kentucky and Vanderbilt were unavailable as of publication and were not included in this review.

Football ticket sales

While media rights were one of the biggest revenue drivers ($53.6 million for Alabama or 24.7% of the total), football ticket sales was another significant chunk.

After dipping to $6.7 million during the 20% capacity limit of the 2020 season, Alabama football ticket sales raked in $40.6 million for the 2021 season. That led the SEC while LSU was second at $38.4 million and Georgia at $35.4 million.

Compare the income to the raw attendance numbers and the price-per-spectator among SEC leads shifts slightly.

1. Georgia: $63.60 (6 games)
2. Texas A&M $61.82 (7 games)
3. Alabama $58.77 (7 games)
4. LSU: $57.94 (7 games)
5. Auburn $47.00 (7 games)
6. Florida $46.18 (8 games)
7. Tennessee $38.75 (8 games)
8. Ole Miss $32.53 (7 games)

These prices don’t include donations like those to Tide Pride at Alabama for premium seating locations.

Expenses

There are accounting differences in how each school figures expenses but a few baskets are fairly straightforward.

For salaries, Alabama was outspent by only LSU. The Tigers paid its 10 assistants and one head coach $24.6 million for the 2021 season while Alabama’s equivalent was $20.6 million. Tennessee was on the other end of the spectrum with just $10.6 million in football salaries.

Rising numbers on support staffs were reflected in that line item. Florida led that race with $7.3 million spent after the hiring of Billy Napier. Georgia was next at $6.4 million while Alabama shelled out $5.4 million.

The major numbers

A look at the major revenue and expenses for seven of the SEC football programs.