Detailed view of a Texas Longhorns logo on an official NCAA football on the field during the CFP National playoff first round. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

How much would it cost to buy Texas' football program?

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jul 21, 2025 1:39 PM ET

Not even Texas alum Matthew McConaughey could afford to buy his alma mater's football program.

In a story published Monday, The Athletic's Matt Baker appraised every Power Four team (plus Notre Dame) as an experiment. The Longhorns ranked No. 1 with a projected price of $2.38B, ahead of the Georgia Bulldogs ($1.92B) and Ohio State Buckeyes ($1.90B).

That number is well outside McConaughey's price range. The actor's estimated net worth is $160M. It's also comparable to the sale of the Carolina Panthers. Owner David Tepper purchased the team for $2.275B in July 2018.

Baker admitted "the numbers are squishy" because college programs report their football revenues differently than those of other sports. Still, it's apparent the Longhorns are flush with cash. This is a program that rolls out Lamborghinis (which can start at $290K, via Car and Driver) at its recruiting events.

The Lambos are Out in Austin ️

(Video Via @ElijahBobarnes1’s Instagram) pic.twitter.com/aIoUrc1qz4
— Orangebloods.com (@orangebloods_) June 14, 2025

"The Longhorns routinely lead the country in revenue and were the only team to top $200M in the most recent financial reports," wrote Baker. "No program came within $25M of Texas in either of the past two years."

The Longhorns' deep pockets help their NIL (name, image and likeness) efforts. Brad Crawford of 247 Sports reported in December 2024 Texas led the nation in NIL spending ($22.2M).

Will that help the Longhorns win their first national championship since the 2005 season? Oddsmakers expect the program to reach the mountaintop this upcoming season after consecutive College Football Playoff semifinal appearances. As of Monday, FanDuel Sportsbook lists Texas (+550) as its preseason favorite to win the title.

Baker's estimation could add to the Texas-sized expectations for the Longhorns. How could they not win a title with all that money?

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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