• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Tuned In is Almost Sold Out! Limited Tickets Remain!

Championship Paydays: Coaches Cash In on Conference Title Wins

Arizona State claim the Big 12 title in its first year in the conference, and coach Kenny Dillingham has an extra $395,000 coming his way.

Brett Davis-Imagn Images

In the inaugural year of the 12-team College Football Playoff, and amid a continued wave of head-spinning conference realignment, college football’s championship weekend brought great excitement on the field, even if not every game had a trip to the Playoff on the line.

Every Power 4 conference title game featured a first-year conference newcomer, and No. 15 Arizona State (11–2) became the first to claim its conference title, beating No. 16 Iowa State on Saturday afternoon. And since ASU has locked down its spot in the CFP, the Big 12 gets $4 million. 

Every conference, in fact, gets a $4 million guaranteed payout for each member school that makes the Playoff, then another $4 million for making the second round, $6 million for making the semifinals, and another $6 million for appearing in the national championship game. (Each school also gets $3 million per CFP round for its travel expenses.)

That puts the Big Ten and SEC in very lucrative positions, with four schools each in the current top 12, though that could reshuffle after Saturday’s results. No. 2 Texas (11–2) could have been the next newcomer to claim a title Saturday, but lost the SEC championship in overtime to No. 5 Georgia—its second loss this season to the Bulldogs (11–2). 

Title Game Bonuses

Several coaches earned significant bonuses for their teams’ performances in conference title games, with some securing spots in the College Football Playoff.

Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State: The 34-year-old has a $395,000 bonus coming his way for the Sun Devils’ 45–19 win over the Cyclones (10–3).

Kirby Smart, Georgia: He’ll pocket $300,000—$100,00 for playing in the SEC title game and $200,00 for winning it—and Georgia will score a first-round Playoff bye. Smart, according to USA Today, will also collect another $175,000 for his Bulldogs playing in the CFP.

Dan Lanning, Oregon: The No. 1 Ducks beat No. 3 Penn State 45–37, making quite a statement in its first season in the conference. Lanning had already earned a $100,000 bonus for making the title game and another $200,000 for Oregon’s 12th regular-season win. With the win, he added another $150,000 to his earnings by securing the school’s first Big Ten title.

Dabo Swinney, Clemson: In the ACC championship game, No. 17 Clemson knocked off No. 8 SMU, 34–31, keeping its CFP hopes alive. Swinney had already earned $50,000 for making it to the title game. With the victory, he added another $200,000 to his earnings and stands to earn an additional $75,000 if the Tigers make it to the CFP.

Spencer Danielson, Boise State: Danielson collected a $66,000 bonus for guiding his team to the Mountain West crown. The No. 10 Broncos topped No. 20 UNLV, 21–7, in the MWC title game Friday, likely securing Boise State (12–1) a spot in the College Football Playoff. 

Jeff Monken, Army: The No. 24 Black Knights (11–1) claimed their first American Athletic Conference title in 134 years by routing Tulane 35–14 on Friday, giving Monken a $50,000 bonus.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

Zohran Mamdani Blasts World Cup Ticket Prices: ‘FIFA Is Becoming the Scalper’

The NYC mayoral candidate wants FIFA to cap resale prices at face value.
NFL Congress
exclusive

College Sports ‘House of Cards’: Republicans, Lobbyists Work to Secure Votes to..

Several House Republicans criticized the SCORE Act on social media.
Sep 8, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) rushes the ball past Minnesota Vikings safety Theo Jackson (26) during the second half at Soldier Field.
exclusive

Americans See Little Difference Between Prediction Markets and Betting

A survey found 85% of respondents believe sports event contracts are gambling.
Angel Reese

Unrivaled Adding Two Teams, a Fourth Night of Games per Week

The 3-on-3 league is expanding in its second year.

Featured Today

ESPN’s MNF Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 Monday Night Football audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
opinion
September 9, 2025

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from NFL’s Week 1 Broadcasts

Many viewers decried the addition of ads to “NFL RedZone.”
Aug 23, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) leads the team onto the field for warm ups before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
September 7, 2025

Slow Burn: The NFL’s Private-Equity Era So Far

Three deals have been struck to date. But the league is bullish.
Jan 25, 2023; Langley, British Columbia, CAN; Highlights from the CHL Kubota Top Prospects game at the Langley Events Centre

NCAA Hockey Scouts Denied Passes for Crucial Recruiting League

The CHL won’t welcome scouts on passes: “It comes across as petty.”
The cover of the College Football 25 video game.
exclusive
September 9, 2025

Group That Facilitated NIL Deal for Football Video Game Now Says It’s..

EA offered $1,500 and no royalties; it also deleted an opt-out clause.
Feb 17, 2024; Boise, Idaho, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs guard Jalen Weaver (5) during the first half against the Boise State Broncos at ExtraMile Arena.
September 10, 2025

NCAA Bans 3 Basketball Players for Violating Betting Rules Last Season

The former San Jose State and Fresno State players have lost eligibility.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Sep 6, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; South Florida Bulls place kicker Nico Gramatica (7), South Florida Bulls long snapper Turner McLaughlin (48) and teammates celebrate after a game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
September 8, 2025

USF Is the Newest Financial Underdog in the AP Top 25

USF’s athletic department brings in half the amount Florida does.
September 7, 2025

Oklahoma-Michigan Was a Battle of Dueling QB NIL Philosophies

Bryce Underwood got into a heated exchange with his teammate.
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) and linebacker C.J. Hicks (11) shake hands while leaving the field following the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025. Ohio State won 14-7
September 6, 2025

How Ohio State Rebuilt Its NIL Strategy in the Rev-Share Era

The Buckeyes are staying “aggressive” in the new NIL landscape.
September 5, 2025

NIL Go Corrects Its Data From $80M in Deals Cleared to $35M,..

It’s another bump in the rocky rollout of the new NIL clearinghouse.