Ohio State football may set the gold standard on the field. Still, behind the scenes, the university’s athletic department is facing a different kind of pressure. The pressure to sustain excellence across 36 varsity programs. In a recent interview, Athletic Director Ross Bjork noted that he is thinking beyond Ryan Day’s football empire. The program is focused on “how to monetize” and modernize an entire athletic ecosystem, one that includes 36 varsity sports, all competing at elite levels.

The Buckeyes have led the nation in athletic department spending for several consecutive years, reporting $293 million in expenditures for the 2023-24 season, according to the university’s latest NCAA financial disclosures. That total reflects an increase of roughly $17 million from the previous year

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