You are not going to fill 100+ K Michigan Stadium with a losing program. UM fans screamed bloody murder about the Coke promotion this year; free UM tickets by buying a Coke. If the administration did not bring in Harbaugh and the football program continued to mire in mediocrity profits from the athletic program would drop like a rock. Some people claim that Nick Saban considering all the money he brings in from his top flight ‘Bama program is vastly underpaid.
According to the Washington Post, Harbaugh will be paid 9.4% of net Football program revenues, whereas Saban is paid 8.1% of net revenues. Alabama just brings in more money than Michigan.
Mark Dantonio is paid 12.1% of net revenue.
Source: Jim Harbaugh is Worth What Michigan Will Reportedly Pay Him