Much of the projected losses Ohio State is expected to recoup will come from TV revenueGETTY IMAGES
Ohio State "might be able to reduce its projected losses from nine figures to eight figures," as an analysis of the school's most recent available revenue and expense filings with the NCAA "shows that the Big Ten's reversal could lead at least $45 million to pour back into the school," according to Joey Kaufman of the COLUMBUS DISPATCH. Much of that is "expected to flow from television revenue." Ohio State received $45.6M in "media rights payments" during FY '19. Media rights make up the "second-largest source of revenue for the athletic department, accounting for 22% of its total revenues in '19. The biggest variable this fall "will be ensuring games are held as scheduled, avoiding the cancellations that have been prevalent in other conferences." If teams make it to the end, Ohio State also "will be in line to realize revenue from Big Ten bowl appearances." In FY '19, it received $7.1M in "bowl revenue" (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 9/20).
FINGERS CROSSED: In Indianapolis, Zach Osterman noted based on its most recently available figures, Indiana Univ. "could bring in anywhere from $40-60 million in revenue if the season (bowls included) can be played." Those numbers improve if the '20-21 men's basketball season, which the NCAA is "working intensively on, can be completed as well." Meanwhile, there still are "some substantial holes in the budget." In FY '19, IU reported $6.8M in "football ticket revenues" and more than $11.1M in "basketball ticket revenues." The athletic department also reported almost $8.3M in "non-program specific revenue" in '19. It is "possible a portion of that could also be tied to attendance in football and men's basketball" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 9/18).
