Alabama boasts the top-spending athletics department in the SEC, at least according to the NCAA revenues and expenses reports for all 13 of the conference’s current schools, plus future members Texas and Oklahoma, obtained by AL.com. The results are visible, mostly through the Crimson Tide’s football program.

However, Nate Oats’ men’s basketball team is in the Final Four for the first time in program history, putting the focus squarely on that sport. Oats recently received a huge extension, showing commitment from the athletics department to keep men’s basketball on the right track.

For Fiscal Year 2023, which ran from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, UA ranked ninth among SEC schools in pay for coaches. That number counts Texas and Oklahoma, but not Vanderbilt, which is private and therefore not required to release its NCAA revenues and expenses report.

That spot mirrored the Crimson Tide’s ranking in overall spending on men’s basketball. Alabama reported $12.8 million in expenses for the sport, ninth in the league for the fiscal year.

Kentucky led the way in that category, as expected for the SEC school with the most historic success in men’s basketball. UK reported $23.6 million in spending.

Auburn ranked fifth in the league, spending $15 million on men’s basketball in FY 2023. South Carolina was dead last, reporting $8 million in MBB expenses.

Which SEC basketball program earned the most revenue in FY 2023?

Alabama moves up in the rankings when it comes to men’s basketball revenue. The Crimson Tide reported bringing in $20.6 million, which ranks third among teams currently in the SEC, fourth when factoring in Texas and Oklahoma.

Kentucky once again led the way. The Wildcats brought in $32.1 million, well over Texas, which ranked second with $23 million.

At $21.9 million, Tennessee was the only other school to bring in more revenue for men’s basketball than Alabama. Arkansas ranked just behind the Crimson Tide at $19.3 million.

Auburn sat in sixth place, earning $19.2 million in FY 2023. Mississippi State was last, with $9 million.

Which SEC basketball team spend the most on recruiting in FY 2023?

SEC schools across the board spent far less on basketball recruiting than they did for football. All but one team (Mississippi State) in the league spent more than $1 million on football recruiting in FY 2023.

For basketball, there was only one school. Texas spent far and away the most on men’s basketball recruiting, coming in at $1.1 million.

Kentucky and Texas A&M, second and third respectively in recruiting spending, were the only other schools that spent more than $900,000 in the category.

At $375,453, Alabama ranked 12th in the SEC in men’s basketball recruiting spending for FY 2023. Auburn came in eighth, at $434,217.

South Carolina brought up the rear, at $125,891.