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Where Does The Money Go?

In a normal year, this page reflects how the NCAA’s revenue is distributed to support NCAA schools, conferences and nearly 500,000 student-athletes. However, the financial impact of the cancellation of the remaining NCAA winter and spring championships due to the COVID-19 public health crisis significantly changed the 2020 distributions to member schools. On Thursday, March 26, the NCAA Board of Governors voted on those specific changes.

The NCAA receives most of its annual revenue from two sources. That money is distributed in more than a dozen ways – almost all of which directly support NCAA schools, conferences and nearly half a million student-athletes.

Where it Comes From

2020 Where $ Comes From

Who it Supports

Student Athletes

Student-athletes are at the heart of the NCAA’s mission.

How it's Distributed

$222M

Sport Sponsorship and Scholarship Funds

Distributed to Division I schools to help fund NCAA sports and provide scholarships for college athletes.

$168.8M

Division I Basketball Performance Fund

Distributed to Division I conferences and independent schools based on their performance in the men’s basketball tournament over a six-year rolling period. The money is used to fund NCAA sports and provide scholarships for college athletes.

$153.8M

Division I Championships

Provides college athletes the opportunity to compete for a championship and includes support for team travel, food and lodging.

$86.6M

Student Assistance Fund

Distributed to Division I student-athletes for essential needs that arise during their time in college.

$64.5M

Student-Athlete Services and Championship Support

Includes funding for catastrophic injury insurance, drug testing, student-athlete leadership programs, postgraduate scholarships and additional Association-wide championships support.

$53.6M

Division I Equal Conference Fund

Distributed equally among Division I basketball-playing conferences that meet athletic and academic standards to play in the men's basketball tournament. The money is used to fund NCAA sports and provide scholarships for college athletes.

$49.2M

Academic Enhancement Fund

Distributed to Division I schools to assist with academic programs and services.

$53.3M

Division II Allocation**

Funds championships, grants and other initiatives for Division II college athletes.

$23.3M

Membership Support Services

Covers costs related to NCAA governance committees and the annual NCAA Convention.

$35.2M

Division III Allocation**

Funds championships, grants and other initiatives for Division III college athletes.

$10M

Division I Conference Grants

Distributed to Division I conferences for programs that enhance officiating, compliance, minority opportunities and more.

$3.8M

Educational Programs

Supports varous educational services for members to help prepare student-athletes for life, including the Emerging Leaders Seminars and the Pathway Program.

$58.4M

Other Association-Wide Expenses

Includes support for Association-wide legal services, communications and business insurance.

$44.8M

General and Administrative Expenses

Funds the day-to-day operations of the NCAA national office, including administrative and financial services, information technology and facilities management.

Academic Distribution

Beginning in 2019-20, a portion of NCAA revenue will be distributed to Division I schools based on their student-athletes’ academic performance.

The distributions listed are recurring, and the information does not include any one-time distributions.

More on NCAA finances.

*Figures are from the 2018-19 fiscal year and are unaudited. The distributions listed are recurring, and the information does not include any one-time distributions.

**Division II and Division III allocations are for program services and were calculated based on generally accepted accounting standards for Not-for-Profit entities. The expenses reported herein differ from amounts allocated to Division II and Division III under the Association’s federation rules.

Did You Know?

Cost of Championships

Of 90 NCAA championships, only five (all in Division I) generate at least as much money as they cost to run: men’s basketball, men’s ice hockey, men’s lacrosse, wrestling and baseball.

Football Money

The Division I College Football Playoff and bowl games are independently operated, and the NCAA does not receive revenue from these events.

Academic Performance

Beginning in 2019-20, a portion of NCAA revenue will be distributed to Division I schools based on their student-athletes’ academic performance.