Saban? Is he Worth $4 Million a Year?

First, there was the exposure. Saban was the biggest national name hired since Bear Bryant's retirement 25 years earlier.

Then came the winning. The Crimson Tide is 6-0 and ranked No. 2 nationally, its highest standing in 15 years.

The football program generated just over $43 million for 2006 (about the same as the previous year), including $14 million in outside contributions, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press under an open records request.

Last year, the program had revenues of more than $53 million, a jump of some 19 percent. The contributions rose even more dramatically, up 28 percent to $19.5 million. And that was before the Tide really started winning.

There's a waiting list of more than 10,000 fans seeking to buy season tickets.

The Tide has also become a hot commodity on TV. Three games have already been televised nationally and CBS will carry Alabama's next game, against Mississippi on Oct. 18. Two of the games earned five-figure paydays, and the school got six figures for its season opener against Clemson in Atlanta.

If Alabama keeps winning, a BCS bowl bid could also bolster the school's finances. The SEC gives $1.76 million to schools participating in bowl games with payouts of $6 million or more, plus an extra $100,000 for playing in the BCS national championship game.

They also get a driven coach and recruiter who puts in long hours.

Saban's second 'Bama team has almost matched that total already, and the fans are following the Tide even on the road despite high gas prices and other economic issues.

'Bama receiving hefty returns on Saban investment