North Columbus News

The Ohio State University has announced its commitment to maintaining 36 varsity sports as it navigates changes in intercollegiate athletics. Ross Bjork, the senior vice president and Wolfe Foundation-Eugene Smith Endowed Athletics Director, detailed future plans in a letter to Buckeye Nation.

Recently, a U.S. District Court gave preliminary approval to a settlement in the House vs. NCAA lawsuits. Ohio State backs this settlement and expects final approval by April 2025. Following this, the university will begin compensating student-athletes for their name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights starting from the 2025-2026 academic year. These payments are expected to surpass $20 million annually.

Bjork emphasized that “the intercollegiate athletics landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation,” but assured that Ohio State aims to support all teams while focusing on academics and enhancing the student-athlete experience.

Ohio State's Department of Athletics prides itself on financial independence, thanks largely to contributions from alumni, fans, donors, and corporate partners. Bjork acknowledged this support: “Private support from alumni, fans, corporate partners, foundations and individual donors has long been essential to the success of Ohio State Athletics.”

Donations also bolster the "Circle of Care," which addresses various needs such as academic support and mental health care for student-athletes. “Philanthropy will remain crucial,” said Bjork regarding maintaining this initiative.

As part of structural changes, the NCAA will shift from scholarship limits to roster limits nationwide. This adjustment will result in approximately 150 fewer varsity athletes at Ohio State but an increase of 91 athletic scholarships available.

Additionally, the co-ed rifle and pistol teams will transition to women-only sports by 2029. The department is exploring initiatives like budget cuts for FY25 and new NIL agreements to manage increased costs.