Tennessee football is back! And their balance sheet is matching their efforts.
According to The Athletic’s latest Power 4 valuation rankings, the Tennessee Volunteers are worth an estimated $1.37 billion, making them the ninth most valuable program in college football. A staggering number, placing the Vols slightly behind the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning.
That valuation is backed by serious revenue as Tennessee brought in $124.9 million from football alone in the last fiscal year. Only Texas, Notre Dame, and Michigan reported more.
Tennessee’s financial leap reflects a program that’s regained momentum under head coach
The business side followed. With a modernized Neyland Stadium, booming merchandise sales, and high-performing media rights, Tennessee’s value has skyrocketed.
It wasn’t long ago that Tennessee was outside the top 12 in program valuations. Pre-pandemic financials painted a less impressive picture of the team but the turnaround has been swift and real.
In today’s landscape, where college football programs are increasingly viewed like pro franchises, the Vols are proving they belong in the billion-dollar club.
With a football-only revenue stream that trails just three national powers, Tennessee has reestablished itself as both a competitive force and a financial giant. The $1.37 billion valuation reflects not just recent success, but a belief that the Vols are built to stay relevant in the present and future even in the ever expanding landscape of the NIL and Playoff era.
There’s still work to be done on the field, especially in an SEC that gets deeper by the year. But in Knoxville, the message is clear here, Big Orange is big business again.