South Carolina Athletics Sees Surplus Despite Football Profit Drop

University's sports programs generate $1.3 million surplus in fiscal year 2025 despite $10M football revenue decline.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 10:23am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a college football game in progress, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the University of South Carolina's official team colors.

South Carolina's athletic department navigates financial challenges by diversifying revenue streams beyond its football program.Columbia Today

South Carolina's athletics department reported a $1.3 million surplus in fiscal year 2025, its largest surplus in six years, despite a $10.1 million drop in football program profits. The university's total athletics revenue increased by $21.1 million compared to the previous year, offsetting a $19.6 million rise in expenses.

Why it matters

South Carolina's ability to generate a surplus despite a significant decline in its most profitable sport, football, demonstrates the university's financial strength and diversification of its athletics revenue streams. This is an important indicator of the overall health and sustainability of the school's sports programs.

The details

According to financial documents, South Carolina's athletics department reported total revenue of $204,566,524 and total expenses of $203,259,302 in fiscal year 2025. This represents a $21.1 million increase in revenue and a $19.6 million increase in expenses compared to the previous year, when the athletics department lost $194,175. The football program's profits dropped by $10.1 million, but the university was able to offset this decline through growth in other sports and revenue sources.

South Carolina's fiscal year 2025 ran from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
In fiscal year 2024, South Carolina athletics lost $194,175.

The players