Tag: Greg Byrne

Breaking down the top schools of 2022 in terms of athletic revenue

Alabama finishes the 2022-2023 season in the top three schools in terms of athletic revenue

What drives almost all decisions? Money. Fortunately for the SEC, of the top 25 schools with the highest athletic revenue in 2022, 11 belong to the Southeastern Conference if you include future members Texas and Oklahoma. If you look a little closer, the SEC also takes up seven spots in the top 10. However, it is noted that this list does not include private schools.

For Greg Byrne and the Alabama Crimson Tide, 2022-2023 may have been one of the most successful years in program history. The football team finished with 11 wins and a Sugar Bowl victory, the men’s basketball team was the regular season and SEC tournament champions who eventually earned the No. 1 overall seed in March Madness, Softball made it to the Women’s College World Series and Men’s baseball made it all the way to the Super Regionals before falling to No. 1 overall Wake Forest.

According to USA TODAY Sports, the Crimson Tide finished the 2022-2023 year with the third-most revenue of any school with $214 million. Only the Longhorns finished higher on the list as a future SEC member with $239 million. Georgia, LSU, Texas A&M, Florida and Oklahoma are the other five SEC programs to crack the top 10.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Alabama Baseball HC Brad Bohannon fired amid sports betting probe in Ohio

Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne announced the termination process for Alabama baseball head coach Brad Bohannon. This comes just days after sports bets in Ohio were halted following some suspension after the Alabama-LSU series over the weekend.

Alabama baseball head coach Brad Bohannon was fired on Thursday morning. Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne initiated a statement regarding the decision to terminate Bohannon. The statement reads the following:

“Alabama director of athletics Greg Byrne announced he has initiated the termination process for head baseball coach Brad Bohannon for, among other things, violating the standards, duties, and responsibilities expected of University employees. Bohannon has been relieved of all duties and Jason Jackson will serve as the interim head coach. There will be no further comment at this time pending an ongoing review.”

The news comes just days after ‘suspicious wagering activity’ took place in the state of Ohio. Following the Alabama-LSU baseball series over the weekend, suspicion arose from LSU’s Game 1 victory. The suspicion caused the state of Ohio and its sportsbook bettors to halt sports betting on the Alabama baseball program for the time being.

Bohannon began his seventh season at Alabama in 2023. As Alabama’s head coach, he attained a 166-124 record. With his departure, pitching coach Jason Jackson will serve as the interim head coach. Jackson has been a part of the coaching staff since 2017.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the Alabama baseball program.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

[mm-video type=video id=01gzckm1zf2rvn75zmng playlist_id=01eqbz6mkdd99nyvkm player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gzckm1zf2rvn75zmng/01gzckm1zf2rvn75zmng-4dbe2581534e8325f7fc34bfddeca2bd.jpg]

WATCH: Alabama AD Greg Byrne addresses building new basketball arena

Greg Byrne addresses the desire of fans to get the Crimson Tide basketball programs a new home.

Alabama athletics have used Coleman Coliseum as the home for various sports and as an event space since 1968. With the success of the Crimson Tide men’s basketball team, fans have been asking for a new home.

Though renderings and potential future plans have been floated by official social media accounts and quotes from athletics administrators, not much solid information has become available to fans.

Recently, Alabama Athletics Director, Greg Byrne, joined The Next Round Live and talked about the plans for a new arena.

“I wanted our fans to know that we have not sat still. We continue to work on it,” said Byrne. “We work on it every single day. We have a fiduciary responsibility where I can’t jeopardize the rest of our department based off of one facility.”

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama basketball and the process of getting the team a brand new home to play in.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

[mm-video type=video id=01gkspkgbhtpzbq3j1kt playlist_id=01eqbz6mkdd99nyvkm player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gkspkgbhtpzbq3j1kt/01gkspkgbhtpzbq3j1kt-ffdb53d43f5c24cc4e73ff16b3681eab.jpg]

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on Twitter @SpurrFM.

Jimbo Fisher on Nick Saban fued: ‘It’s over with’

Jimbo Fisher and Nick Saban end their war of words

Last month, Texas A&M head coach [autotag]Jimbo Fisher[/autotag] and Alabama head coach [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] got into a very public dispute about NIL and how each others programs are ran. Saban accused the Aggies of paying for players while Jimbo accused Saban of being a cheater along with many other names.

This week, the SEC meetings took place in Destin, FL and both coaches came prepared knowing they’d be bombarded with questions on the topic.

Fisher strongly cleared the air stating, “it’s over with. We’re done talking about it and what happens. We’re moving on to the future of what goes on and trying to fix the problems of what we have in college football. We have a lot more pressing needs than our arguments.”

Saban had nothing to add, however, Alabama athletic director [autotag]Greg Byrne[/autotag] wanted everyone to know that Alabama does things the right way by saying, “I know we feel very good about our compliance and what we do at Alabama.”

While there is still a lot of animosity in the room, Fisher did walk back some of his comments saying, “We had a great relationship. We had a lot of success, did well, and wasn’t many issues at all. Did you ever argue with your brother? Did you love your brother? Did you support your brother? That’s the way coaches are.”

[mm-video type=video id=01g3erc0edgmn96mh7g9 playlist_id=01eqbz6mkdd99nyvkm player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g3erc0edgmn96mh7g9/01g3erc0edgmn96mh7g9-0077f23d44f9c8fde2755441b968c5e4.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=51078,51075]

[lawrence-related id=51063]

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Alabama executive deputy AD, Jeff Purinton, to be the next AD at Arkansas State

Jeff Purinton will become the next AD at Arkansas State!

Even off of the football field, the University of Alabama has their employees plucked left and right for new positions. This time, Alabama executive deputy AD, Jeff Purinton, is off to Jonesboro to run the Arkansas State University athletic department.

Purinton has been with Alabama since 2007 and his importance to the university can not be understated. He has been a crucial part of everything that Alabama has done, even prior to the arrival of athletic director Greg Byrne. In the past, Byrne has been linked to the PAC-12 commissioner position, the president of the NCAA, so anyone under the tutelage of Byrne comes in high regard.

In Jonesboro, Purinton will be meeting up with former Alabama staffer and current head football coach, Butch Jones.

[mm-video type=video id=01g268cz6b7vgz1bhrvh playlist_id=01eqbz6mkdd99nyvkm player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g268cz6b7vgz1bhrvh/01g268cz6b7vgz1bhrvh-9221efb8bbb1900d87718dfd966396b0.jpg]

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Alabama Athletics plans to move forward with Phase II of ‘The Crimson Standard’

The Crimson Standard continues

Earlier this afternoon it was announced that the University of Alabama Athletics Department would be moving forward with phase II of “The Crimson Standard”.

A new competition arena for basketball and gymnastics is the biggest project of phase II. The new arena will seat over 10,000 and is designed to bring the fans closer to the action on the court, something that Crimson Tide fans have been clamoring for for years now.

The new arena will also feature student seating that will mostly take up the lower bowl section and additionally new premium options in club, loge, courtside, and lower-level preferred seating.

Certainly, the success that Nate Oats has had in his short tenure in Tuscaloosa has helped pave the way for the new arena.

Included in phase II is a start of the art golf practice facility. The practice facility would include a first-of-its-kind, nine-hole golf course along with several other amenities.

With the help of athletics director Greg Byrne, the announcement was made via Twitter.

For the complete details behind the announcement click here.

Stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire for all the latest on the Alabama Crimson Tide!

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

 

Alabama opens indoor facility to Tulane football team

What a great display of class by Greg Byrne and Nick Saban

It’s no secret that Hurricane Ida left much of the state of Louisiana in ruins. Tulane University was at the center of that, being located in New Orleans.

Tulane was in the midst of their preparations for their week 1 matchup with the Oklahoma Sooners when Ida’s rain and damage forced the Green Wave to relocate their practice.

Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne and head football coach Nick Saban stepped in and allowed Tulane to use the indoor practice facility in Tuscaloosa.

Charlie Potter of 247 Sports tweeted Nick Saban’s response to opening the facility to the Green Wave.

Tulane travels to Norman this Saturday to face the Sooners at 11:00 a.m. central time.

Stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire for all the latest on the Crimson Tide!

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.

WATCH: Patrick Murphy Urges Athletic Directors to ‘Invest in Softball’

Alabama softball coach Patrick Murphy urges athletic directors around the country to invest in softball.

Over 7,000 people packed into Rhoads Stadium in Tuscaloosa over the weekend to watch Alabama softball defeat Kentucky in two games to advance to their 13th Women’s College World Series.

Following the series-clinching 4-1 win over the Wildcats on Saturday afternoon, head coach Murphy made a statement about the popularity of softball during his postgame interview. He then challenged athletic directors around the country to help continue growing the game.

 

 

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Alabama softball has made an appearance in every single super regional since the format began in 2005 and has appeared in the Women’s College World Series 12 times in history.

The success on the field has translated to success in revenue. Crimson Tide Softball brought in more money than any other women’s sport on campus in 2019 by earning $1,314,124 according to the University’s annual athletics report, and the fourth highest-earning athletic program at the University of Alabama.

According to an article by the Saint Peter’s Tribune, Alabama softball was one of 70 teams across the country to earn at least $1 Million in 2018. One sign of that is the growth in coverage.

Every game of the 2021 regionals was broadcasted by the ESPN family of networks, whether it be on cable or digital platforms such as SEC Network+. History was made this weekend, as game two between Oklahoma and Washington was broadcasted by ABC for the first time ever.

The growth of the sport has allowed many universities to add softball, such as Duke and Clemson. The two Atlantic Coast Conference universities have added softball programs over the last three seasons, and went deep into their respective regional rounds against SEC teams who are headed to the Women’s College World Series. Duke played well in the Athens Regional before falling to Georgia, while Clemson made it to the Tuscaloosa regional final against Alabama.

The quote from Murphy was fueled by last weekend’s attendance numbers at Rhonda Stadium. In two games, over 7,000 fans attended the Tuscaloosa Super Regional. As Murphy mentioned, he had hundreds of requests  for tickets before they were available to the general public.

I believe that his quote had multiple meanings. It was a challenge to university athletic directors of schools who already have a program to invest more money into their softball programs, whether it be upgrading facilities, expand seating, or increasing marketing.

It could have also been a message to those universities who do not have a softball program, such as Vanderbilt, the only Southeastern Conference institution to not field a team. The Southeastern Conference had 12 teams compete in the NCAA regionals, with South Carolina being the lone team left out. Having Vanderbilt in the league. with the success of the Commodore baseball program, and appeal of Nashville as a whole, it is hard to think that Vanderbilt Softball would not be successful in a few years.

It’s easy to see why softball is a growing support, both in revenue and popularity. The pageantry in Tuscaloosa that is shown every home game as well as the positive, fighting spirit that each team shows no matter the score, make Softball a hot ticket.

I echo Murph’s comments… “invest in softball.”

REPORT: Alabama AD Greg Byrne being considered for Pac-12 Commissioner position

Alabama athletics director Greg Byrne has only been with the Crimson tide for a few years, but is apparently now being considered for…

News recently broke of Larry Scott, the Pac-12 commissioner, planning on stepping down from the role by the end of June. With the announcement, conference officials have already begun their search.

Adam Rittenberg of ESPN took to Twitter to report some of the names he has already heard from sources. All of the names mentioned are athletic directors from across the country, one of which being Alabama’s athletic director, Greg Byrne.

Byrne has ties out West. He was born in Idaho, graduated from Arizona State, worked in administrative roles at both Oregon and Oregon State and was the athletic diretor at Arizona prior to accepting his current role in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Byrne has been at Alabama for almost four years and has made hires such as baseball coach Brad Bohannon and head basketball coach Nate Oats.

No official word on his candidacy for the position has been made public, nor has he publicly stated anything regarding the potential opportunity.

Roll Tide Wire will publish any information made available.

BREAKING: Alabama’s Nick Saban tests positive for COVID-19

Alabama’s head coach Nick Saban and athletic director Greg Byrne test positive for COVID-19 after Florida and LSU had their game canceled.

The hits just keep coming for the SEC. First it was Florida, after their head coach Dan Mullen wanted 90,000 fans to pack The Swamp this weekend. Then a rash of positive cases has made them postpone their game against LSU this weekend.

That wasn’t even the biggest news out of the day from the conference, as Alabama’s head coach Nick Saban and their athletic director Greg Byrne had both tested positive for COVID-19.

Saban will not be on the sidelines for the huge game against Georgia this weekend. Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian will take over for Saban.

The hits just keep coming this college football season and don’t expect that to change.