SEC announces more record revenue distribution

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey, right, looks on as Georgia football coach Kirby Smart celebrates a victory over Auburn in the 2017 league championship game.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey, right, looks on as Georgia football coach Kirby Smart celebrates a victory over Auburn in the 2017 league championship game.

Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey announced Friday that about $627.1 million of total revenue was divided among its 14 institutions for the 2017-18 fiscal year that ended Aug. 31.

The total consists of $604.1 million distributed from the league office and $23 million retained by schools that participated in the 2017-18 bowl games to offset travel and other bowl expenses. The average amount distributed from the conference office, excluding bowl money retained by participants, was slightly more than $43.1 million per school.

"This distribution of revenue to the SEC's member institutions represents a continued conference-wide commitment to support our student-athletes in all areas of their college experience," Sankey said through a release. "This revenue is essential in providing outstanding support for all of the young people on our campuses through coaching, equipment, training, academic counseling, medical care and life-skills development."

The total revenue for 2017-18 surpasses the $596.9 million distributed in 2016-17, with the per-school distribution representing an increase over the average school distribution of $40.9 million in 2016-17, not including bowl money retained by participants.

"The revenues generated through SEC athletics programs benefit not only the athletics and academic pursuits of student-athletes but are also instrumental in advancing the academic missions of the conference's 14 universities," Sankey said. "These distributions are designed to provide each university with the flexibility to invest in unique and significant ways that create positive impacts across their respective campuses.

"Past uses of funds on our campuses have included the direct transfer of funds, assistance with construction and renovation of academic facilities, and support of academic scholarship opportunities and academic programs."

The total distribution amount is comprised of revenue generated from television agreements, bowl games, the College Football Playoff, the SEC football championship game, the SEC men's basketball tournament, NCAA championships and a supplemental surplus distribution.

Alabama update

Alabama has yet to announce any football coaching hires since its 2018 season ended with a 44-16 loss to Clemson on Jan. 7, but five new assistants are getting paid.

AL.com reported Friday that the university's financial open-records page reveals that new offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian received a check in excess of $71,000 for January and that offensive line coach Kyle Flood, running backs coach Charles Huff and defensive assistants Sal Sunseri and Charles Kelly received checks for smaller amounts. AL.com added that the checks are prorated based on the amount of last month in which each worked.

There were no payroll entries for new receivers coach Holmon Wiggins or new defensive line coach Brian Baker.

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.

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