$11MM was my number, I was trying to put context to your statement "$11MM is double what they make off the current playoff" and see what the real numbers might be. Thanks for the link. The point was and still is that making double off what they make for a current playoff game is not a relevant benchmark because playoff games are over and above regular season home gates AND you have the extra added motivation of playing for a championship.

Now back to the $11MM. I agree with you it may not be that high. I intentionally tried to estimate upper end to give the OP's original theory the benefit of the doubt. Schools packing 80-100K plus in to their home stadiums may not find even $11MM enough to cover("ring the bell") the loss of a home game. It may not be enough to cover direct revenue and it is no where close to the local impact and that is before you consider the soft costs to the school. I think there MIGHT be justification if those games are viewed as a branding investment but, for the big schools the numbers, at least in my opinion, will not exceed a home date for those schools most likely to be top draws for neutral sight contests.