September 2025
San José State Athletics Proven a Major Economic Driver in Collegiate Consulting Study
In a new valuation study by Collegiate Consulting, San José State University’s athletics program generates an average annual economic impact of $225.6 million, reinforcing its key contributor role for both the University and the City of San José. Over the past three years, Spartan Athletics has delivered a total impact of nearly $677 million, spanning media visibility, game-day spending, athletic revenue, and contributions from student-athletes and staff.
The analysis highlights that SJSU’s media exposure through television, streaming, radio, print, and social platforms produced more than $443 million in advertising value since 2022, amplifying the university’s brand across national and regional audiences. Game-day events have added another $63 million in direct and indirect visitor spending, with football accounting for nearly 80 percent of that activity. In addition, external athletic revenues of $43 million
created an additional $66 million in economic ripple effects throughout the local economy.
Student-athletes and athletics staff also play a crucial role in shaping community impact. From FY2022 to FY2024, SJSU student-athletes contributed $6 million through personal spending and $1.38 million in volunteerism to the greater San José area, while athletics staffing expenditures generated nearly $95 million in economic activity. Together, these factors illustrate the wide ranging influence of Spartan Athletics on jobs, local business growth, and community service.
Collegiate Consulting Study Finds Wyoming Athletics Generates $225M
According to a comprehensive valuation study released by Wyoming Athletics and Collegiate Consulting, the University of Wyoming’s intercollegiate athletics program provides an average annual economic impact of $206.4 million, reinforcing its role as a major contributor to the University, the City of Laramie, Wyo., and the State of Wyoming. Over the three-year analysis period, Wyoming Athletics delivered a total impact of more than $619 million, highlighting its wide-ranging value to the state.
The study, which primarily examined fiscal years 2022 through 2024, assessed the program’s contributions in media exposure, student-athlete and staff
economic impact, and game-day and event spending. Wyoming athletics produced $288.8 million in advertising value across television, streaming, and social media during the three-year period. Athletic events, summer camps, and non-athletic uses of facilities added another $145.4 million to the local economy.
Meanwhile, the direct and indirect impact of student-athletes and athletics staff at UW generated $112.3 million for Laramie and the surrounding region.
Athletic revenues also played a significant role, contributing $72.7 million over three years from sponsorships, media rights, and other external sources. Football remained the single largest driver of economic activity, accounting for $71.4 million of the total $104.9 million game-day impact during this period, followed by men’s and women’s basketball.
Quick Bytes
- Queens of Charlotte & Elon University to merge next year
- Legends Global to fold Nations Group into Legends’ owners’ representation verticals
- Middle Tennessee State cuts alternate uniforms, creates substantial pool of money for players
- Public opposition leads Energy Dept. to withdraw Title IX rule
- Number of SAs participating in NCAA championship sports climbed all time high
- Knight Commission announces 6 conferences earned grants through C.A.R.E. Model program
- With transfer portal, mid-major programs evolving into high-major launchpads
- Conference realignment gets more complicated with DII reclassifications, expansions
- House Republicans delay SCORE Act vote; bill supporters acknowledge flaws
- 10 current & former DI athletes sue NCAA over redshirt rule
- Canadian Hockey League will no longer extend scout passes to NCAA coaches
- USA Today releases college football’s 25 most powerful people
- Republican-led House Appropriations Committee proposes 15% cut to U.S. Education Department
- NCAA Committee on Infractions releases findings of sports betting related game manipulation
- U.S. Education Dept. plans to end discretionary grant programs for minority-serving institutions
- NESCAC parents’ group ready to sue due to football roster limits
- Va. Attorney General finds Roanoke College discriminated against female athletes
- Philosophies within high-major teams split when it comes to transfers
- DIII, National Association of Sports Officials launch recruitment effort aimed at student-athletes
What's the Word?
What isn’t daunting about your first year in college? While freshmen student athletes face a multitude of challenges every school year, they are no longer alone. The transfer portal has created increased pathways for new players and high turnover in coaching staffs produce a different echelon of rookie.
Many fall sports programs spent weeks before the start of classes to get acclimated to one another and give a crash course on their university’s ideals, expectations and opponents. As any newcomer knows: It is difficult to adjust to an already-cohesive team. Collegiate Consulting applauds those being thrown into the deep end of college athletics and the support systems in place to help them thrive.
Several schools encourage team-bonding activities – a lofty responsibility of team leaders who may have been exposed to unnecessary and unlawful hazing in the not-so-distant past. College is a place to meet people from other backgrounds and broaden young minds, all while dealing with increased time management demands and both physical and mental pressure.
Any new team member is not only just a new member, but a new member to YOUR team. Hurdles may present themselves in coaching philosophy, community structure, school traditions or having to dig to find a spot in the offensive/defensive strategy.
Team culture is set from the top-down and best-built on shared goals and values. Emphasis on overall well-being is essential, that includes access to coaches, physical trainers, sports psychologists and academic advisers. Teams don’t create themselves; it takes a team to make a team.
ADs See Economic Impact on Schools, Cities with Economic Valuations
Collegiate Consulting’s Economic Valuation Studies help higher education institutions maximize both academic and athletic impact. These studies not only offer assessment of basic budgetary items, but also intangibles such as potential value and areas for development. Athletic Departments can now see an overall portrait of their worth and how it affects their university budgets and city and state’s economies.
Our studies use conservative estimates and industry-standard economic models, including advertising value equivalency (AVE) and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis’ RIMS II multiplier, to determine both direct and indirect impact. They often account for student-athlete volunteerism and other intangibles.
In addition to financial data, reports highlight strength of a program’s national exposure. This includes television and other traditional media, along with social media reach.
As we continue to partner with institutions of varying size and conference competition level, we are excited to explore opportunities for each new and existing clients. There are several moving pieces to research that gives our university partners an expanded perspective for potential excellence.
We thrive on connection with our college athletic community, and we seek to
champion their notable actions and achievements.
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