This revelation wasn’t exactly groundbreaking; rather, it served as a reminder of why St. John’s consistently ranks at the top of the Big East when it comes to the financial investment in their roster.

On Thursday morning, Rick Pitino appeared on WFAN’s “Boomer and Gio” show, discussing various topics, including how the Red Storm assembled their impressive team lineup.

Pitino highlighted the financial aspect, explaining that the top-ranked transfer class of the Johnnies was secured through diligent effort and substantial generosity. According to recent reports, their payroll hovers around $10 million. While college sports have entered an era of revenue sharing—allowing schools to pay athletes up to $20.5 million annually—St. John’s has not yet engaged in direct payments.

Instead, the funding for their expensive roster comes from alternative sources.