Notre Dame Sets Record with $325 Million in Athletics Spending for 2023-24
Notre Dame has made history with its latest financial report, revealing that the athletic department spent $325 millionduring the 2023-24 fiscal year—the highest operating expense in the history of college athletics. The Fighting Irish also generated a record $331.9 million in revenue, finishing with a $7 million profit despite their unprecedented expenditures.
This staggering figure underscores the financial arms race within collegiate athletics, as top programs continue to push boundaries in pursuit of success. With the era of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals, rising coaching salaries, and increased investment in facilities, Notre Dame’s spending highlights the new reality of modern college sports.
Breaking Down Notre Dame’s Record-Breaking Budget
The $325 million expenditure represents a significant jump from previous years, showing the program’s commitment to maintaining competitiveness at the highest level. The breakdown likely includes:
1. Coaching Salaries & Staff Compensation
One of the biggest expenses for major athletic programs is coaching salaries. With Marcus Freeman leading the football team and Mike Brey’s successor (Micah Shrewsberry) guiding basketball, competitive salaries for top coaching talent are essential. Additionally, assistant coaches, strength trainers, and analysts now command significant salaries, further driving up costs.
2. Facilities & Infrastructure
Notre Dame has long been known for its investment in elite facilities. From football training centers to Olympic sports facilities, the school has continued to expand and upgrade. In a college landscape where facilities are key to recruiting and player development, this spending is not surprising.
3. NIL & Player-Related Spending
While universities cannot directly pay players, they have increasingly invested in NIL infrastructure—providing resources to help athletes secure endorsement deals and maintain compliance. Additionally, schools are spending heavily on nutrition, medical care, travel, and academic support for athletes.
4. Game-Day Operations & Travel
Notre Dame, with its independent football schedule, incurs significant travel costs, especially for marquee matchups against schools across the country. The costs of private flights, hotel accommodations, and overall game-day operations continue to rise.
5. Marketing & Recruiting
Recruiting has become more expensive with the rise of social media branding, NIL collectives, and nationwide scouting efforts. Schools like Notre Dame spend millions on recruiting visits, facility tours, and promotional materials to attract top talent.
Notre Dame’s $331.9 Million Revenue: How They Made It Work
While their spending was historic, Notre Dame’s $331.9 million revenue proves the program remains financially dominant. Here’s how they brought in that record-breaking sum:
1. Media Rights & TV Deals
Notre Dame’s exclusive NBC football contract continues to be one of the most lucrative deals in college athletics. Additionally, their affiliation with the ACC for non-football sports brings in substantial TV revenue.
2. Ticket Sales & Game-Day Revenue
With over 77,000 fans packing Notre Dame Stadium for football games, ticket revenue is a major source of income. Premium seating, luxury suites, and concessions further boost earnings.
3. Sponsorships & Partnerships
Notre Dame boasts partnerships with Under Armour, NBC Sports, and national corporate sponsors, adding millions in annual revenue.
4. Donor Contributions & Fundraising
Alumni and booster donations play a huge role in Notre Dame’s financial strength. Major donors contribute to facility renovations, scholarships, and coaching salaries.
5. NCAA & Conference Revenue Sharing
Although independent in football, Notre Dame still benefits from College Football Playoff payouts, NCAA Tournament revenue, and other conference distribution funds.
What Does This Mean for College Athletics?
Notre Dame’s record spending is just another sign of how college athletics has evolved into a billion-dollar industry. With realignment, NIL, and playoff expansion, costs will only continue to rise.
This raises major questions:
- Can other schools keep up? Not every program has the resources of Notre Dame, Alabama, or Texas. Smaller schools may struggle to match the escalating costs.
- Will spending ever be capped? With NIL, transfer portal dynamics, and coaching salaries skyrocketing, some wonder if financial regulations will be introduced.
- How will this impact Notre Dame’s future? The Fighting Irish remain one of the wealthiest programs in the country, but continued financial investment will be necessary to maintain their status.
One thing is certain: Notre Dame’s $325 million in spending and $331.9 million in revenue mark a new chapter in the high-stakes financial world of college athletics.