In the 2025-26 period, Ohio State sports that will benefit from revenue-sharing payments include those generating significant income, such as football, basketball, and other revenue-producing athletic programs.

The landscape of college athletics is undergoing significant transformation, driven by shifts in media rights, conference realignments, NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) considerations, and revenue-sharing models. As the 2025-26 academic year approaches, Ohio State University, one of the premier athletic programs in the nation, stands to benefit from revenue-sharing arrangements that will distribute income generated by its athletic endeavors.

This analysis aims to provide a thorough understanding of which Ohio State sports are slated to receive revenue-sharing payments in 2025-26, emphasizing the sports that generate the most income, the mechanisms of revenue sharing, and the strategic importance of these financial flows. We will explore key revenue sources, the impact of conference media rights deals, playoff and bowl revenues, sponsorships, and how these are distributed among different sports.

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## The Financial Ecosystem of College Sports

### Revenue Sources in College Athletics

College sports generate income from multiple streams, including:

– **Media Rights Deals:** Contracts with television and streaming services for broadcasting games, especially for high-profile sports like football and basketball.
– **Ticket Sales and Game Day Revenue:** Income from ticket sales, concessions, merchandise, and parking during athletic events.
– **Conference Revenue Sharing:** Distributions from conference media rights, championship events, and other league-based revenues.
– **Sponsorship and Advertising:** Corporate sponsorships, advertising rights, and promotional tie-ins.
– **Postseason Play:** Earnings from bowl games, NCAA tournaments, and other postseason events.
– **Licensing and Merchandising:** Revenue from apparel, memorabilia, and licensing deals.

### The Role of Revenue Sharing

Revenue sharing in college athletics involves distributing income generated by certain sports or the athletic department as a whole among various stakeholders or programs. This can be based on conference policies, NCAA regulations, or institutional decisions.

In recent years, revenue sharing has become more structured, especially within Power Five conferences, which negotiate lucrative media rights deals. These arrangements aim to distribute funds equitably among member schools and, in some cases, directly to individual sports programs based on their contributions to the overall revenue.

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## Ohio State’s Athletic Revenue Landscape

### Football: The Cornerstone

Ohio State football is a powerhouse, consistently ranking among the NCAA’s top revenue-generating programs. Its success on the field translates into massive ticket sales, television ratings, and sponsorship deals. The Buckeyes’ football program is a primary driver of the university’s athletic revenue, often accounting for a significant portion of the overall athletic department income.

### Men’s and Women’s Basketball

Basketball at Ohio State also commands substantial revenue, especially considering the popularity of the NCAA Tournament and the Big Ten Conference’s media rights deals. While not at the same financial level as football, basketball remains a key revenue sport.

### Other Revenue-Generating Sports

– **Baseball, Soccer, Volleyball, and Other Non-Revenue Sports:** These sports typically operate on budgets supplemented by overall athletic department funds and may not generate significant income directly. However, they are vital for Title IX compliance, school branding, and athlete development.
– **Lacrosse, Wrestling, and Other Olympic Sports:** These are often subsidized and do not contribute directly to revenue sharing but are essential components of Ohio State’s athletic identity.

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## The Mechanics of Revenue Sharing in 2025-26

### Conference Media Rights and Distributions

The Big Ten Conference, to which Ohio State belongs, has negotiated a groundbreaking media rights deal slated to go into effect around 2024-25. This deal is projected to be worth over $1 billion annually, making it one of the most lucrative in college sports history.

Under the terms of this deal, revenue is distributed among member schools based on various factors:

– **Equal Share:** Each school receives a base amount.
– **Performance-based Bonuses:** Some revenue may be tied to performance or specific media agreements.
– **Sport-specific Distributions:** Certain sports, particularly football and basketball, may receive additional funds due to their popularity and revenue generation.

### NCAA and Postseason Revenue

While the NCAA basketball tournament and football playoff generate substantial income, the distribution of these funds varies:

– **Football Playoff Revenue:** The College Football Playoff (CFP) distributes billions of dollars in revenue, which is shared among member conferences based on their participation and performance.
– **NCAA Basketball Tournament:** Revenue from March Madness is allocated partly to the NCAA, conference offices, and participating schools, with a significant portion returned to the athletic departments.

### Sponsorship and Licensing Deals

Corporate sponsorships, including agreements with brands like Nike, Coca-Cola, and local sponsors, contribute additional revenue streams. These deals often include licensing fees, which are shared between the NCAA, conferences, and schools.

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## Which Ohio State Sports Will Receive Revenue-Sharing Payments?

Based on the sources of revenue and the typical distribution mechanisms, the sports at Ohio State most likely to benefit directly from revenue-sharing payments in 2025-26 include:

### 1. **Football**

– **Primary Revenue Driver:** Ohio State football is the most significant revenue-generating sport. The program’s large stadium capacity (Ohio Stadium seats over 100,000), national television exposure, and success in the College Football Playoff system make it a key recipient of revenue.
– **Revenue Distribution:** Funds from the Big Ten media rights deal, playoff earnings, and sponsorships are heavily influenced by football’s performance and popularity.
– **Impact:** The football program’s revenue impacts the entire athletic department, providing funds that support other sports.

### 2. **Men’s Basketball**

– **Major Revenue Source:** NCAA tournament appearances, televised games, and conference media rights contribute to substantial revenue.
– **Distribution:** Part of the conference’s media rights deal and NCAA tournament payouts are shared with Ohio State, benefiting the basketball program.
– **Impact:** While not as lucrative as football, basketball still plays a vital role in revenue sharing, especially with postseason success.

### 3. **Other Revenue-Producing Sports**

– **Wrestling, Volleyball, and Soccer:** These sports generally do not generate significant direct revenue but are supported by overall athletic department funds, which are partly derived from revenue-sharing arrangements.
– **Lacrosse and Baseball:** Similar to other Olympic sports, these may receive indirect benefits through overall budget allocations.

### 4. **Emerging and Non-Revenue Sports**

– **Less likely to receive direct revenue-sharing payments:** These programs are usually funded through general athletic department revenue, which is derived from the primary revenue-generating sports.

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## Broader Implications of Revenue Sharing for Ohio State Sports

### Financial Stability and Investment

The influx of revenue-sharing payments, especially from high-profile sports like football and basketball, allows Ohio State to invest in:

– **Facility Upgrades:** Modernizing stadiums, arenas, and training facilities.
– **Athlete Support:** Scholarships, health services, and academic support.
– **Staffing and Development:** Hiring top coaches and support personnel.
– **Title IX Compliance:** Funding female sports and ensuring gender equity.

### Competitive Advantage

The financial resources obtained from revenue sharing enable Ohio State to maintain a competitive edge nationally, attracting elite recruits, supporting innovative training methods, and achieving postseason success.

### Supporting Non-Revenue Sports

While non-revenue sports do not directly generate income, they benefit from the financial stability provided by revenue-sharing payments. This support helps sustain a broad athletic program that promotes diversity, compliance, and overall institutional reputation.

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## Challenges and Considerations

### Fair Distribution and Equity

Ensuring equitable distribution of revenue among sports and programs remains a challenge. While football and basketball dominate earnings, there is ongoing debate about how to allocate funds to support Olympic and niche sports.

### Conference and NCAA Revenue Policies

Changes in media rights negotiations, playoff structures, and NIL regulations could influence future revenue-sharing models, impacting Ohio State’s athletic budget and sports funding.

### External Economic Factors

Economic downturns, shifts in media consumption, and sponsorship market fluctuations can affect the total revenue pool, influencing how much is shared and distributed.

In the 2025-26 academic year, Ohio State’s athletic programs will benefit from a complex and lucrative revenue-sharing ecosystem primarily driven by football and basketball. The football program, as the flagship sport, will receive the largest share, thanks to massive media rights deals, postseason earnings, and sponsorships. Basketball also stands to gain significantly through conference and NCAA tournaments.

Other sports, especially non-revenue sports, indirectly benefit from the overall financial health of the athletic department. The revenue-sharing model supports Ohio State’s broader mission of athletic excellence, academic achievement, and institutional prominence.

This financial framework underscores the importance of high-profile sports in shaping the economic landscape of college athletics and highlights Ohio State’s position as a national powerhouse capable of leveraging revenue sharing to sustain competitive success across its athletic spectrum.