Clemson athletic revenues slightly outpace rising expenses; Tigers sixth in ACC in revenue

CLEMSON — Clemson athletic department revenue growth slightly outpaced increasing expenditures from 2005 to 2011, according to the updated USA Today college athletics financial database.

During the six-year period, Clemson athletic revenues increased 51.5 percent from $40.4 million in revenues in 2004-05, to $61.2 million in revenues from 2010-11.

Clemson’s athletic expenditures rose 46.4 percent, rising from $39.9 million in expense in 2005 to $58.4 million in expense last year.

Clemson ranked sixth in the ACC in total athletic revenue in 2010-11, trailing Florida State ($78.5 million), Virginia ($78.4 million), North Carolina ($75.6 million), Virginia Tech ($66.9 million) and Maryland ($61.6 million).

Nationally, seven programs eclipsed $100 million in revenue, led by Texas at $133 million, according to USA Today.

Clemson’s revenues and expenditures will continue to increase in the coming years as the ACC has signed a new 15-year, $3.6 billion television deal with ESPN, and Clemson has made a record commitment in compensation to its football staff this offseason.

Clemson will pay its football coaches $6.1 million in 2012 after paying the staff $2.7 million in 2009.