Ohio State's athletic director said the school will add 91 scholarships for the next academic year as college programs begin to adapt to a changing landscape that includes paid players and new roster limits in all sports.
In a letter sent this week to the Ohio State community, Ross Bjork, who oversees one of the largest athletic departments in the country, said the Buckeyes will share with players the $20.5 million allowed as part of a deal negotiated in the agreement of the lawsuit that forces important changes to be made in the university sports model.
He said the school will maintain its 36 sports programs.
“We firmly believe that this new investment will allow our programs to continue competing and winning championships and keep excellence at the forefront of our mission,” Bjork wrote.
As part of the House v. NCAA scholarship limits are being replaced by roster size, and schools will be able to offer scholarships to all players. Some lists will be reduced, but the net change may result in more scholarships at schools that want to fund them.
Björk did not give details about the destination of the new scholarships. Ohio state officials did not immediately respond to a message left by The Associated Press requesting more details.
Bjork also voiced the same theme as many athletic directors at schools her size, when she noted the need for Ohio State to remain aggressive in finding new ways to pay for these changes. Among them would be expanded campus-wide naming rights opportunities and a revised football season ticket plan “that meets the needs of as many Buckeye fans as possible.”
“To ensure the long-term success of our athletic programs, we ask for the commitment and support of everyone at Buckeye Nation,” Bjork wrote.
