The Southeastern Conference distributed a record $1.03 billion to its 16 member universities for the 2024-25 fiscal year, according to figures released by the league. The Longhorns received a significantly smaller share than its conference peers in its first year as a member.
Schools that were full SEC members for the entire fiscal year received average distributions of more than $70 million. Texas and Oklahoma, which officially joined the conference on July 1, 2024, did not receive full television revenue shares in their first year. Texas received approximately $12.1 million, a figure tied largely to postseason distributions rather than the conference’s full media rights payout.
The disparity stems from the Longhorns’ decision to enter the conference a year early and forgo a full year of SEC television revenue, a strategic move University officials have repeatedly defended in recent weeks.
“Our first year in the SEC, we knew we were not going to receive TV money,” Texas athletics director Chris Del Conte said during a recent availability with local media. “Because we entered a year early, we were not going to receive TV dollars.”
Del Conte said the athletics department anticipated and built a projected deficit into its budget before the move was finalized, accounting for the shortfall well before competition began.
“We planned for a $47 million problem,” Del Conte said.
University leadership, including chairman of the Board of Regents Kevin P. Eltife and former President Jay Hartzell, was informed in advance that Texas would have to absorb the shortfall. The decision required coordination across multiple levels of University administration.
“Instead of losing $43 million, we came down in $26.7 million,” Del Conte said, crediting the athletics business office for narrowing the gap.
Del Conte also emphasized that Texas maintained reserves to account for the expected loss and described the early move as intentional, not reactionary.
“We had that in our reserve, and we knew that, and we planned for that,” Del Conte said.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement released by the conference that the league’s annual revenue sharing model allows universities to “support elite athletics programs,” including sustained investment in women’s and Olympic sports, while strengthening resources and “advancing the academic and athletic aspirations of student athletes.”
Texas’ first year in the SEC highlights the financial imbalance that can accompany conference realignment. While established members collected full shares exceeding $70 million, Texas absorbed a reduced payout as part of its accelerated transition into the league, illustrating the short-term costs tied to long-term positioning within the conference.
The Longhorns and Sooners are positioned to receive full shares in the 2025-26 fiscal year.