Without a doubt, the financial situation at Arkansas drastically changed when John Calipari took the job. Essentially, one person — John Tyson, now lovingly known as the 'Chicken Man' — completely changed the outlook for the Razorbacks' basketball program. So much so that the Wall Street Journal currently assesses Arkansas as one of the most valuable college basketball teams in the country.
Arkansas basketball ranked top-10 most valuable program
The Wall Street Journal valued the Arkansas Razorbacks at $217 million, ranking them No. 10 among college basketball programs. But as always, dollars don’t guarantee dominance on the court. Florida and Houston, which just played for the national championship, don't even crack the top 15.
Topping the list is North Carolina, with an eye-popping $378 million valuation — despite many arguing they didn't deserved a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, Indiana sits at No. 3 with a $279 million valuation, even though the Hoosiers have only reached 20 wins four times in the past decade.
Storied programs like Kansas, Michigan State, and Kentucky rank lower than expected. The Wildcats beat Arkansas by $6 million, ranking ninth. However, after the top 10, there's a significant dropoff, with the Jawhawks valued at $191 million — a $26 million gap between No. 10 and 11. Michigan state ranks even lower at No. 13 ($183 million).
However, the one program that boasts both financial power and recent success is Duke. The Blue Devils narrowly missed the top spot by just $7 million, yet they’re valued nearly $100 million higher than the team ranked third.
These teams are stacking bills 💰 pic.twitter.com/8FocRYC1uY
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) April 9, 2025
Hopefully, Coach Cal can put that money to use soon. Arkansas has yet to flex its monetary muscle in the transfer portal like most on the list have, and the fanbase grows more anxious by the hour. However, the dominoes may fall quickly after the first commitment.