Ohio State Buckeyes football worth just as much as the Browns

So what, exactly, is a program like Ohio State worth? Once you calculate the value of the brand, plus the current coaching contract of Urban Meyer and the most recent on-field victories, what is it worth? The answer is unsurprising, and it’s a fortune over $1 billion according to the study.

The Ohio State program is worth more than $1.1 billion, the largest figure in the nation, according to an annual study. The Buckeyes have dethroned Texas, which had held the top spot for three straight years in the annual valuation by Ryan Brewer, an assistant professor of finance at Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus.

The Longhorns, who still led all programs in estimated revenues, are worth $972.1 million, up from $875 million a year ago. But that was only good for No. 3. Michigan finished second at $999.1 million. Ohio State and Michigan both benefited from much-improved cash flows over the past year.

[Also See: Delirius Disbelief: Ohio State wins it all]

Interestingly enough, that’s basically the same exact number that Forbes is currently using for the Cleveland Browns. The Browns are merely the 22nd most valuable NFL franchise, though.

If I have the money and I’m doing the buying, it’s kind of a tough call because of finances, but there’s really no doubt that the Buckeyes are a more enjoyable team to own, you know, if we lived in a world where you could own a college football team.

As for the rest of college football, Michigan comes in second and previous number one, Texas, comes in third.