The Ohio State Buckeyes have made an ambitious commitment to retain all 36 sports programs and maintain scholarships for all programs even as the college athletics organization undergoes dramatic financial changes.
This decision, led by President Ted Carter and Athletic Director Ross Bjork, reaffirms Ohio State’s dedication to a wide range of sports and supporting student-athletes. “When we hired (athletic director) Ross Bjork, he and I immediately decided to keep all 36 Division I sports programs. That’s important. We have over 1,000 students. We have athletes. It’s important for our Olympic sports that we don’t have many schools that can do this and remain financially self-sufficient, because we share a significant portion of our income. Because we’re going to do that. And finally, we’re going to have a division. I plan to maintain scholarships for all 36 sports.”
This pledge comes at a critical juncture for Ohio State and all NCAA institutions as the financial landscape of college sports faces unprecedented challenges. Recent legal changes, particularly the House of Representatives v. NCAA antitrust settlement, introduced revenue-sharing obligations and allowed direct compensation to athletes. While these changes represent progress in athlete rights and fair compensation, they create complex financial hurdles for universities. Schools are now tasked with establishing player salaries that could reach up to $22 million annually while maintaining funding for non-revenue sports. For many institutions, this dual obligation has led to difficult decisions, with some programs choosing to eliminate or reduce sports to balance their budgets.
Despite these challenges, Ohio State’s decision to maintain all athletic programs and scholarships is a bold move. The financial realities of non-revenue Olympic sports are particularly harsh. In the United States, unlike many major countries, collegiate athletics is the primary training and development pipeline for Olympic talent. Approximately $5 billion is spent annually on the NCAA’s Olympic sports, but these programs often operate at a financial deficit, diluting revenue from high-profile sports such as football and basketball. It depends. New financial pressures from the NIL and revenue-sharing reforms have forced many schools to reconsider their support for these sports, and some have already reduced or eliminated programs.
President Carter said this decision is not just about preserving the program, but ensuring that student-athletes in all sports have access to a supportive environment that prioritizes athletic and academic development. It emphasizes one thing. “We want to be the voice in the world of shared revenue, the NIL, the transfer portal to help keep student-athletes as student-athletes,” Carter said.
Ohio State’s decision comes as a welcome boost to student-athletes as many programs nationwide face cuts. Sustaining 36 sports and scholarships presents financial challenges, but Ohio State’s efforts combine the demands of new economic realities with a commitment to opportunity and excellence for every athlete who wears a Buckeye uniform. It reflects a forward-thinking vision for college sports that is balanced with unwavering dedication.
