It’s no coincidence that the most successful collegiate teams historically, the ones that generally have the most pervasive fan following, are the programs that are the most valuable as measured by revenue and profitability. Also not surprising, a top-25 ranking of the highest-valued teams in college football looks like a typical top-25 ranking, pick practically any season.
Forbes did a research study looking at revenue numbers and estimated profits of FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) teams over a three-year period from 2014 through 2016, the most recent years for which financial information exists. The revenue and profit totals were then averaged to come up with a single number representative of three-year cycle.