How much is Ohio State football paying for a 2025 schedule featuring Texas, Grambling and Ohio?

Ohio State football’s 2025 nonconference schedule, which features home matchups against Texas, Grambling State and Ohio, cost $3.4 million, according to game contracts obtained by cleveland.com via public records request.

OSU’s schedule, in total, includes seven homes games and five road contests — all of which are against Big Ten opponents.

Here’s a breakdown of how much Ohio State is paying each of its nonconference foes.

Ohio State vs. Texas
The original contract for a home-and-home series between Ohio State and Texas was signed in August 2014. The games were slated to take place in 2022 and 2023, when UT was still part of the Big 12.

An amendment was made in May 2018, moving the games to Aug. 30, 2025, and Sept. 12, 2026.

The home team — in this year’s case, Ohio State — will owe the visiting team $500,000.

The visiting team also receives 300 complimentary tickets and another 3,500 tickets for purchase.

Officials are appointed by the visiting team.

Ohio State vs. Grambling State
Ohio State paid Grambling $1 million for this year’s matchup on Sept. 6 at Ohio Stadium. OSU had to pay that amount before Feb. 28, 2025.

The Buckeyes must allocate 2,000 tickets for visiting fans to purchase. Any unsold tickets must be returned to Ohio State before Aug. 14.

Payments for unsold tickets or tickets used by Grambling State will be deducted from the amount Ohio State agreed to pay Grambling.

The contract for this contest was signed in June 2024.

Ohio State vs. Ohio
Ohio State’s most expensive nonconference opponent this year is an in-state foe. OSU paid $1.9 million to Ohio — another payment due before Feb. 28, 2025.

The Bobcats will receive 500 complimentary tickets along with 3,000 tickets for purchase.

The game contract was signed in 2023.

The financial details surrounding Ohio State football’s 2025 schedule, which features games against Texas, Grambling, and Ohio, involve complex considerations including game guarantees, revenue sharing, contractual obligations, and broader financial strategies within college athletics. While exact figures are often confidential or undisclosed publicly, analyzing typical payment structures for college football scheduling, historical trends, and the specific nature of these matchups can provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential financial landscape Ohio State faces for this schedule. This essay explores the key factors influencing the costs and revenues associated with Ohio State’s 2025 football schedule, considering the context of college football economics, the specifics of each opponent, and the broader implications for the university’s athletic department budget.

### 1. Contextualizing Ohio State’s 2025 Schedule

The 2025 Ohio State football schedule is noteworthy not only because of its competitive matchups but also due to the strategic significance of playing teams like Texas, Grambling, and Ohio University. Each opponent presents different scheduling dynamics:

– **Texas:** A high-profile, Power Five conference member (Big 12, transitioning to SEC), Texas is a marquee opponent expected to draw significant national attention and larger revenue sharing.
– **Grambling:** A historically Black College and University (HBCU), Grambling’s appearance provides a different kind of exposure and outreach, often involving arrangements that benefit both programs beyond just game guarantees.
– **Ohio:** Ohio University, a regional rival, typically involves a smaller guarantee but maintains regional interest and traditional rivalries.

The mix of these opponents reflects Ohio State’s strategic efforts to balance high-revenue games with community engagement and traditional rivalries. Understanding the financial implications requires examining each matchup’s typical payment structure.

### 2. How College Football Scheduling Works: Payments and Guarantees

In college football, especially for prominent programs like Ohio State, scheduling involves multiple financial considerations:

– **Guarantee Payments:** The visiting team often receives a guaranteed payout for traveling and participating in the game, especially when playing away or in neutral-site games.
– **Revenue Sharing:** For home games, the athletic department benefits from ticket sales, concessions, and merchandise, with some revenue sharing agreements with the conference or other entities.
– **Television Rights:** National broadcasts contribute significantly to revenue, with payout amounts depending on the exposure and contractual arrangements.

In most cases, Power Five programs receive substantial guarantees for non-conference games against less prominent opponents, especially for games played at their home stadiums or in high-profile neutral sites.

### 3. Estimated Payments for Ohio State’s 2025 Opponents

#### a. Ohio State vs. Texas

Given Texas’s status as a prominent program and the high-profile nature of their games, the Ohio State-Texas matchup is expected to command significant guarantees, especially if played at Ohio State’s Ohio Stadium or at a neutral site such as the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium, which has hosted college games.

– **Guarantee Range:** Historically, Power Five teams play against each other with guarantees ranging from $1 million to over $10 million, depending on the location, broadcast rights, and the teams involved.
– **Typical Scenario:** For a home game against Texas, Ohio State might receive a guarantee in the range of **$4 million to $8 million**. If played at a neutral site like AT&T Stadium, guarantees can be higher due to the larger audience and broadcasting rights involved.

**Factors affecting the guarantee:**
– The prestige of the matchup
– Venue specifics
– Revenue-sharing agreements with the host stadium or organizers
– Broadcast rights and exposure

**Estimated payment:** Approximately **$5 million to $8 million**.

#### b. Ohio State vs. Grambling

Grambling State University, while historically significant and culturally important, does not typically command the same financial guarantees as Power Five opponents. These games are often arranged with a different set of goals, including community outreach, exposure for HBCUs, and fulfilling scheduling obligations.

– **Guarantee Range:** For Ohio State, a game against Grambling is likely to involve a **much lower guarantee**, often in the range of **$300,000 to $1 million**.
– **Purpose of the game:** Such games may be partly subsidized or involve revenue-sharing agreements that benefit Grambling, with Ohio State accepting a lower guarantee for the broader benefits.

**Estimated payment:** Around **$500,000 to $1 million**.

#### c. Ohio University (The Ohio Series)

The Ohio State-Ohio rivalry, while regionally significant, generally involves a smaller guarantee, especially if played at Ohio Stadium. These games are often considered “buy games” or regional matchups that help fill the schedule and generate local interest.

– **Guarantee Range:** Historically, Ohio State might pay around **$200,000 to $500,000** to Ohio University for such games.
– **Additional factors:** These games may involve revenue-sharing agreements where ticket sales and concessions are split, or Ohio University might receive a flat guarantee.

**Estimated payment:** Approximately **$250,000 to $500,000**.

### 4. Total Estimated Payments for the 2025 Schedule

Adding the above estimates:

– **Texas:** $5 million – $8 million
– **Grambling:** $0.5 million – $1 million
– **Ohio:** $0.25 million – $0.5 million

**Total estimated guaranteed payments:** **$5.75 million – $9.5 million**

This figure does not account for additional revenue streams like television rights, sponsorships, or potential revenue sharing from ticket sales and in-stadium purchases, which could significantly increase overall financial intake.

### 5. Broader Financial Strategies and Revenue Considerations

Beyond guaranteed payments, Ohio State’s football program benefits from multiple revenue streams that can offset these costs:

– **Television Contracts:** Ohio State’s Big Ten media rights deal and national broadcasts (e.g., ESPN, Fox) contribute hundreds of millions annually, with a significant portion allocated to conference schools.
– **Sponsorship and Licensing:** Merchandise sales, sponsorships, and licensing deals add substantial income, particularly during high-profile games like those against Texas.
– **Ticket Sales and Stadium Revenue:** Ohio Stadium’s capacity (~102,000) allows for substantial ticket revenue, especially for marquee games.
– **Post-Game Broadcast Rights and Digital Content:** Streaming and digital rights further add to the revenue pool.

The costs involved in scheduling these opponents are often viewed as investments to boost the program’s national profile, attract recruits, and generate long-term revenue growth.

### 6. Additional Costs and Considerations

While the guarantees provide a baseline, other costs include:

– **Travel and Logistics:** Transportation, accommodations, and per diem costs for teams, staff, and fans.
– **Operational Expenses:** Security, stadium staffing, marketing, and game-day operations.
– **Potential Revenue Sharing:** If games are played at neutral sites or involve revenue-sharing agreements, the net revenue might be split or reduced.

### 7. Financial Impact on Ohio State’s Athletic Department

Considering Ohio State’s overall athletic revenue surpasses $200 million annually, the 2025 schedule’s guaranteed payments represent a relatively small but strategically important expenditure. The schedule is designed to maximize exposure, recruiting, and national relevance, which in turn sustains revenue growth in other areas.

The investments made in these games are justified by the potential payoff: increased national visibility, enhanced recruiting, and broader fan engagement, all of which contribute to Ohio State’s sustained dominance.

While exact figures for Ohio State’s 2025 football schedule are not publicly disclosed, a detailed analysis of typical guarantees, historical data, and the nature of each opponent suggests that Ohio State is likely paying between **$5 million and $9.5 million** in guarantees for these games. This cost encompasses high-profile payouts for the Texas matchup, modest guarantees for Grambling, and smaller payments for the Ohio game. These investments are part of Ohio State’s broader strategic approach to maintain its position as a national powerhouse, leveraging marquee matchups to generate revenue, attract top recruits, and foster a strong fan base. Overall, the financial outlay for such a schedule reflects Ohio State’s commitment to excellence both on and off the field, with the expectation that the long-term benefits outweigh the immediate costs.