A recent article by The Athletic places the Miami Hurricanes football program at 24th in its franchise-style valuation, pegging its worth at approximately $604 million. This ranking, just behind Arkansas and ahead of Ole Miss, shows Miami’s strong brand but also reveals the financial areas needing improvement.
How much would it (hypothetically) take to buy your favorite college football program?
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) July 21, 2025
If you're a Longhorns fan, it would cost the largest chunk of change (sorry @McConaughey and @glenpowell) 💰 pic.twitter.com/m0fEgmzRFu
The valuation stems from an estimate from The Athletic, who based their figures on Miami’s average yearly football revenue of $75.5 million over the past three seasons. Despite Miami’s iconic status and South Florida appeal, the valuation is cautious, placing the Hurricanes alongside middle-of-the-pack SEC teams (many Canes fans would like to seem them higher than those programs).
Financial positioning is critical in the NIL era, where revenue and valuation directly influence recruiting and leverage. Miami’s current valuation may limit its ability to offer lucrative deals compared to its peers ranked above them, including top-tier SEC and Big Ten programs. But, the Hurricanes have been able to secure the top transfer — QB Carson Beck — as well as the top recruit in the Class of 2026 — OT Jackson Cantwell — so that point may not hold weight.
The University of Miami reported $182.5 million in athletic revenue and an equivalent in expenses for the 2023–24 year, ranking it mid-pack within the ACC. The value report, however, captures a broader financial context by framing the football program within a franchise marketplace framework.
The Hurricanes' on-field performance has been inconsistent, but momentum is slowly returning. Under coach Mario Cristobal, Miami reached a 10-win season in 2024, its best since 2017, and produced first-overall NFL draft pick Cam Ward.
Still, the valuation report serves as a reminder that institutional success follows financial strength. "The U" branding is among the elite in college football so if that falls in line, then the sky is truly the limit for the program value-wise.
As the 2025 season approaches, continued success remains key. With elite newcomers like Beck and the national interest coming back, the Hurricanes value is growing. Being 24th in valuation shows that while Miami’s potential is undeniable, the journey to return "The U" to powerhouse status will require a 2025 season that doesn't end like 2024.