South Carolina Athletics: Gamecocks are sleeping giant, ranked 13th nationally in Athletic Department revenue
By Kevin Miller
The South Carolina Athletics Department has always been viewed as having a greater potential than its results.
The Gamecocks have some of the best and most devoted fans in the nation. There are many ways that the Carolina faithful demonstrate this fact, but attendance is toward the top of the list.
In 2022, South Carolina Athletics ranked in the top-21 in the country in attendance in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball (#1), baseball, and softball. Women’s basketball and baseball are always top-10 attendance programs, and the football team has been among the country’s top draws for decades, including during a 1-21 stretch in the late ’90s.
However, Gamecock fans show up with their wallets, too.
Earlier this week, it was reported (ESPN’s Jeff Fuller compiled data from the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act survey) that the University of South Carolina Athletics Department ranked 13th in the country in revenue. Only traditional athletic powers like Ohio State, Texas, Georgia, Alabama, Michigan, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Florida State, LSU, Texas A&M, Auburn, and Florida rank above South Carolina in total revenue since 2017.
What does this mean? It means that the University of South Carolina Athletics Department has more money at its disposal than all but 13 schools in the country to spend on its sports.
Revenue comes in a variety of forms. Television and advertising deals negotiated with conferences are a large portion of these numbers, but the majority of the remaining dollars come from fans and donors.
The Gamecocks have had tons of success in baseball and women’s basketball in the last fifteen years (two national championships in each sport), and the other sports have had their moments. However, there is potential for more. South Carolina is a sleeping giant, and the rest of the country better be ready if it finds a way to wake up from its slumber.