How Much Money Does Ohio State Make A Year

Akron Zips linebacker Michael Scott, left, pressures quarterback Kato Nelson during practice, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Akron, Ohio.

The annual hand-wringing over which school pays which school for the prospect of being drubbed on the football field has arrived, and that includes for the University of Akron.

It's easy to put it as simplistically as that, but this has always been college football's reality in the modern era. Whether it remains its future in a world in which the SEC expands by raiding the Big 12 for its two prized teams and the Big Ten, Pac-12 and ACC talk alliance shall be dictated by dollars generated by TV contracts.

For now, however, these payday games can be the lifeblood for a university's athletic program, especially one such as UA's, which has had its share of financial issues in recent years.

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To the university's credit, this fact has now been recognized in a report from the Athletics Review Working Group released earlier this summer and one of its lead recommendations for the football program.

"Moving forward, this revenue source could be further leveraged by adding a third 'buy game' to our annual football schedule. Several schools in Group of Five conferences currently do this (e.g., Kent State University) to generate additional revenue," the group suggested in its final report to President Gary L. Miller.

For playing at Auburn, the Zips will receive $1.8 million and most likely lose to a usually competitive SEC team. In the current environment and amid a global pandemic, the money is invaluable.

What's Ohio State football paying Akron for their game this September?

The Zips have a second payday game courtesy of Ohio State. The Buckeyes, with consistently one of the top four programs in the country, have always tried to "spread the wealth" by scheduling the state's Mid-American Conference football teams. The Zips travel to the horseshoe Sept. 25 and will likely leave with an "L" and a check for $1.8 million.

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What's Akron football paying Temple, Bryant for visiting Rubber City?

Of course, there's a football hierarchy in all of this. The Zips play this game also, scheduling opponents viewed as competitive at their level. And there exist costs associated with it.

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The Zips will play the Bryant Bulldogs, an FBS team from Rhode Island, on Sept. 18 and the outlay will be $325,000 for the privilege. A week earlier they will tackle the Temple Owls, paying them $150,000.

How much money will Akron football make from non-conference games?

From the team's four non-conference games this fall, the UA department of athletics will net approximately $3.1 million.

University of Akron 2021 Football Schedule

After this weekend's trip to Auburn, Akron plays its home opener against Temple on Sept. 11. Here's a look at the Zips' full schedule this season:

Sept. 4: at Auburn, 7 p.m., ESPN+/SEC+

Sept. 11: Temple, 3:30 p.m.. ESPN+

Sept. 18: Bryant, 3:30 p.m., ESPN3

Sept. 25: at Ohio State, TBA

Oct. 2: Ohio, 3:30 pm

Oct. 9: at Bowling Green, TBA

Oct. 16: at Miami (Ohio), TBA

Oct. 23: Buffalo, TBA

Nov. 2: Ball State, TBA, ESPN2

Nov. 9: at W. Michigan, TBA, ESPN2

Nov. 20: Kent State, TBA

Nov. 27: at Toledo, TBA

Reach George M. Thomas at gthomas@thebeacojournal.com or on Twitter @ByGeorgeThomas