🏈 Upside Analysis: The Top D1 NCAA programs (Teams, Student Athletes)
As we know the NCAA market represents a significant opportunity for sports tech startups to grow their business. But what are the biggest D1 sports program out there in terms of total number of sports teams and student athletes? In this analysis, we analyzed the top NCAA Division I programs involved. Specifically we looked at each institution's athletic offerings, the number of student-athletes, the number of teams (men, women), the type of sports, and total revenue. Below is a detailed overview of the specified schools:
Source: Upside Global, 2025
1. Ohio State University
Total Number of Sports Teams: Ohio State sponsors 36 varsity sports teams, encompassing a wide range of men's and women's programs.
Total Number of Student-Athletes: Approximately 1,000 student-athletes participate in various sports at Ohio State.
Men's Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Fencing, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Rifle, Soccer, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball, and Wrestling.
Women's Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Fencing, Field Hockey, Golf, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Rowing, Rifle, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Synchronized Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field,
and Volleyball
Total Revenue: In the 2022-2023 fiscal year, Ohio State's athletic department reported revenues exceeding $250 million, ranking among the highest in collegiate athletics.
2. University of Southern California (USC)
Total Number of Sports Teams: USC sponsors teams in ten men's and thirteen women's NCAA-sanctioned sports.
Total Number of Student-Athletes: Approximately 650 student-athletes participate in various sports at USC.
Men's Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball, Water Polo.
Women's Sports: Beach Volleyball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Lacrosse, Rowing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball, Water Polo.
Total Revenue: In the 2022-2023 fiscal year, USC's athletic department reported revenues of $187,650,353.
3. University of Texas at Austin
Total Number of Sports Teams: The University of Texas fields 20 varsity sports teams, including prominent football and basketball programs.
Men's Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, and Track & Field (Indoor and Outdoor).
Women's Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Rowing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field (Indoor and Outdoor), and Volleyball.
Total Number of Student-Athletes: The university has over 500 student-athletes competing across various sports.
Total Revenue: For the 2022-2023 fiscal year, Texas reported athletic revenues of approximately $239 million, placing it among the top revenue-generating programs nationally.
4. University of Alabama
Total Number of Sports Teams: The University of Alabama sponsors 21 varsity sports teams, with a strong emphasis on football and a growing basketball program.
Men's Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field
Women's Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Gymnastics, Rowing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball
Total Number of Student-Athletes: Approximately 600 student-athletes represent Alabama in various competitions.
Total Revenue: In the 2022-2023 fiscal year, Alabama's athletic department reported revenues around $214 million, reflecting its strong football-driven financial performance.
5. University of Oklahoma
Total Number of Sports Teams: Oklahoma fields 19 varsity sports teams, with notable success in football and softball.
Men's Sports:
Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Tennis, Track and Field, Wrestling.
Women's Sports:
Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Gymnastics, Rowing, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball.
Total Number of Student-Athletes: The university has approximately 550 student-athletes across its sports programs.
Total Revenue: For the 2022-2023 fiscal year, Oklahoma reported athletic revenues of about $175 million, driven largely by its football program.
6. Auburn University
Total Number of Sports Teams: Auburn sponsors 21 varsity sports teams, including competitive football and basketball programs.
Men's Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, and Track & Field.
Women's Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Equestrian, Golf, Gymnastics, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball.
Total Number of Student-Athletes: Approximately 600 student-athletes compete for Auburn across various sports.
Total Revenue: In the 2022-2023 fiscal year, Auburn's athletic department reported revenues nearing $150 million.
7. Duke University
Total Number of Sports Teams: Duke fields 27 varsity sports teams, with a storied men's basketball program.
Men's Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Fencing, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, and Wrestling.
Women's Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Fencing, Field Hockey, Golf, Lacrosse, Rowing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball.
Total Number of Student-Athletes: The university has around 700 student-athletes participating in its sports programs.
Total Revenue: For the 2022-2023 fiscal year, Duke reported athletic revenues of approximately $120 million.
8. Louisiana State University (LSU)
Total Number of Sports Teams: LSU sponsors 21 varsity sports teams, with strong football and baseball programs.
Men's Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, and Track & Field.
Women's Sports: Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Cross Country, Golf, Gymnastics, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball.
Total Number of Student-Athletes: Approximately 550 student-athletes represent LSU in various competitions.
Total Revenue: In the 2022-2023 fiscal year, LSU's athletic department reported revenues around $160 million.
9. University of Michigan
Total Number of Sports Teams: The University of Michigan fields 29 varsity sports teams, including prominent football and basketball programs.
Men's Sports:
Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, Wrestling.
Women's Sports:
Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Golf, Gymnastics, Lacrosse, Rowing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball, Water Polo.
Total Number of Student-Athletes: Approximately 900 student-athletes compete for Michigan across various sports.
Total Revenue: For the 2022-2023 fiscal year, Michigan reported athletic revenues exceeding $200 million.
10. Texas A&M University
Total Number of Sports Teams: Texas A&M sponsors 20 varsity sports teams, with strong football and track and field programs.
Men's Sports:
Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field
Women's Sports:
Basketball, Cross Country, Equestrian, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball
Total Number of Student-Athletes: Approximately 650 student-athletes represent Texas A&M in various competitions.
Total Revenue: In the 2022-2023 fiscal year, Texas A&M's athletic department reported revenues around $212 million.
11. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Total Number of Sports Teams: UCLA fields 25 varsity sports teams, with a rich history in basketball and competitive football.
Men's Sports:
Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Soccer, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball, Water Polo.
Women's Sports:
Beach Volleyball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Gymnastics, Lacrosse, Rowing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball, Water Polo.
Total Number of Student-Athletes: Approximately 700 student-athletes participate in UCLA's sports programs.
Total Revenue: For the 2022-2023 fiscal year, UCLA reported athletic revenues of about $130 million.
12. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Total Number of Sports Teams: UNC sponsors 28 varsity sports teams, with renowned basketball and soccer programs.
Men's Sports:
Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Fencing, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Wrestling.
Women's Sports:
Basketball, Cross Country, Fencing, Field Hockey, Golf, Gymnastics, Lacrosse, Rowing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball.
Total Number of Student-Athletes: Approximately 800 student-athletes compete for UNC across various sports.
Total Revenue: In the 2022-2023 fiscal year, UNC's athletic department reported revenues around $125 million.
13. University of Notre Dame
Total Number of Sports Teams: Notre Dame fields 27 varsity sports teams, with a storied football program and competitive basketball teams.
Men's Sports:
Baseball, Basketball, Boxing, Cross Country, Fencing, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field.
Women's Sports:
Basketball, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Fencing, Golf, Lacrosse, Rowing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball.
Total Number of Student-Athletes: Approximately 700 student-athletes represent Notre Dame in various competitions.
Total Revenue: For the 2022-2023 fiscal year, Notre Dame reported athletic revenues of approximately $150 million.
Conclusion: Those NCAA programs represent a great opportunity for startups to work with world’s class athletes, get feedback from top programs while growing their business at the same time. Granted sometimes it can also be a longer sales cycle but having its product used and tested by 400-500 student athletes across 15-20 teams is an extremely valuable experience for any sports tech startups trying to make a dent in the fast growing sports tech market.
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