A hallmark of the turnaround was football’s standout season, capped by a national championship victory over Notre Dame. The Buckeyes’ eight regular-season home games and a playoff home game against Tennessee pushed ticket revenue to more than $81 million, roughly $23 million higher than the prior year when six home games were played.
In addition to ticket income, contributions rose to a school-record $68.2 million, while the Big Ten’s new media deal yielded nearly $65 million in rights fees. Licensing and sponsorships also contributed more than $42 million, underscoring a broad-based revenue resurgence for Ohio State athletics.
Total expenses for the year reached a record $320.4 million, but revenues fully covered those costs. The department directed more than $24.9 million toward student-athlete expenses, including tuition and support for athletes facing medical issues, as part of its “Circle of Care” initiative. Athletic Director Ross Bjork praised the department’s progress amid an evolving collegiate landscape.
Bjork emphasized a commitment to innovation and sustainability, noting that the program will continue to pursue new revenue streams while prudently managing expenses as it strives to stay best in class and support Buckeye fans, donors, season-ticket holders, and students.
Looking ahead, spring practices will be notably RB-driven but with a twist: Bo Jackson and Isaiah West will miss the 15 spring sessions due to shoulder surgeries. Both are expected to be cleared by fall camp, after a freshman season that saw Jackson rush for 1,090 yards. In the interim, Florida transfer Ja’Kobi Jackson and redshirt freshman Anthony “Turbo” Rogers figure to shoulder increased workloads as the staff builds depth.
