Ross Bjork Provides Updates On House Settlement, OSU's Path Forward

COLUMBUS — Ohio State director of athletics Ross Bjork spoke with reporters on Thursday to discuss, among other things, last week’s settlement of House vs. The NCAA and how it will impact OSU moving forward. The highlights of everything he had to say can be found below.

Bjork just returned from the annual convention of ADs and administrators. “It really provided a lot of affirmation about what we do.” There is positive optimism despite the uncertainty that is going on. “We’re still going to class and we’re still going to be playing games.” Those are the two fundamentals. Everything else will be figured out.
Bjork discussed OSU SID Jerry Emig’s retirement for next spring. Advised Emig to be on his toes for roasts and toasts from the media.
Bjork is coming up on his first year anniversary at OSU. “This is just a great place. We know what the standard is. What the expectation is.” Still getting used to the rhythm of being at such a big place as Ohio State.
The athletic department staff have had to work hard through all of these changes. But nobody has ever said “we can’t do this.” They have just continued to work through the changes.
People look to Ohio State, so they work on being “best in class” in everything. “We’re a public trust of the state of Ohio. Everybody owns it.” You need to honor the tradition but also be creative. “We’re plugging in to all of those different elements.”
When people look around the room, “they want Ohio State to have an opinion.”
“This is our best academic year ever. Period.” There was a 3.4 cumulative GPA. Their placement rate is at 97%, and the 3% still have irons in the fire.
There is “lots of facility masterplanning” going on regarding the athletics facilities. “We’re in the process of remaking our gameday atmosphere.” There will be more on that in the future.
The Buckeye Sports Group that was announced on Monday brings all of the NIL stuff under one roof and searches for marketing opportunities for their athletes.
Some programs have hired GMs for their various sports, but OSU has launched a new department known as the Center for Sports Intelligence and Strategy to help in that regard.
“Project 36” is the plan to disperse the $20.5 million from the athletic department. $2.5 million of that goes to scholarships, which leaves $18 million to four sports: women’s volleyball and women’s basketball, and men’s basketball and football. The hope is that more sports would be added down the road if possible. On the Title IX implications: this is the most access athletes have ever had.
Should the Big Ten be more vocal in what they believe about the CFP? The decision makers are the commissioners. “I don’t think debating it in public does any good.” Could the B1G be more vocal? “Perhaps.”
On the Texas-Ohio State kickoff situation and what is he doing to lessen noon games for OSU? It started last fall in mapping out the games. “I think our program and our fans deserve some marquee night games.” Those conversations were ongoing about having Texas at night, but the contracts didn’t allow it. “What we need is more flexibility.” Programs deserve more flexibility. “We have carried the day for Big Noon.” “We’re hoping for more flexibility.” Will anything change? “Probably not” because of the contracts.
On Title IX: there is an obligation to follow Title IX in several buckets. They meet the two prongs that are demanded. The revenue world is not part of Title IX but they still want to support women’s sports as much as they can. The market will dictate different numbers for all sports.
The NCAA is trying to figure out how to provide NIL to international athletes who are in the country on work visas. As of now, they cannot receive NIL.
How does the $18 million get split and who does it? They used metrics. “What does football drive? What does women’s basketball drive?” So those are the metrics they used. The coaches are then given to the coaches who decide where the money goes.
Why women’s volleyball? The sport is booming. They have a great facility. It could be a revenue generator.
Bjork declined to state how much each of the four sports will be given of the $18 million.
Bjork is in favor of CFP expansion and the idea of play-in games for conferences could provide great games and content.
Two bye weeks per year in football should be the standard.
Where should signing day be? 90% of their official visitors are in June. Why can’t they sign in the summer?
There needs to be a comprehensive calendar for college football. The transfer portal window should be in the spring. The Big Ten is pushing to have this done sooner rather than later. “We need to have that transfer portal window cleaned up for sure.”
Why not just have the student-athletes be employees? It creates many different problems given all of the different state laws governing employees/employers.
Does the $20.5 million level the playing field? How that money gets divided up is up to each program. Ohio State likes where they are with their breakdown and how things are going for football. It will be a process watching how programs allocate their money. Ryan Day and Mark Pantoni are using analytics to determine where the money needs to go. “We will always be at the front of the game from a competitive standpoint.”
Regarding the Center for Sports Intelligence and Strategy, one area it will be used is how to schedule for most effective way regarding making the postseason.
The Buckeye Sports Group will be matchmaking athletes with companies. They will also help with content and storytelling.
How did the first year of the expanded Big Ten go re: traveling and the athletes? “We learned some things.” They need to look at last year’s experience and figuring out ways to improve the experience. More data will help after this year and then they can go about making some positive changes. Overall it worked, but the wear and tear of going west to east is an issue. The athletes and alumni of Ohio State enjoyed it.
Bjork chuckled at the thought of a state law being discussed preventing noon kickoffs for Ohio State. “I get the intent” but the contracts are all signed. “The cool thing about being in Ohio is that everyone cares, no matter what corner you’re in.” He’s okay with those conversations.
There is so much commercial potential for OSU’s student-athletes and their ability to capitalize on the brand. “We show these numbers to recruits. That’s a powerful story.”
On improving the gameday experience at Ohio Stadium, what does he want to see? “More night games.” Fans want to modernize and continue to innovate. They learned a lot from the Tennessee game, but they were already studying things prior to that. When they play music, how they play music, how they recognize sponsors, former athletes, award winners? How can they better utilize the ramp or the Victory Bell. Incorporating the history is important moving forward. They are working on new videoboards/ribbon boards for fall of 2026. Sound system as well. Taking the script and shortening it a bit.
How do you expect programs at OSU to make up the ground if those sports aren’t supported the way they are at other schools? “This is just a one moment in time.” The money will grow. But a key player here or there can be the difference. Facing basketball-specific programs is going to be a difficult reality. There are schools that will go all-in on basketball “and we’re going to have to deal with that.” Nobody’s going to shut things down. It’s a process “and we’ll adapt.”
Does an expanded playoff make you want to schedule more non-conference games like Texas or not? “TBD.” It depends on the model. If the model benefits you for being undefeated, then maybe you don’t want to play those games. Everybody should be playing nine conference games.
Why is it still realistic to maintain 36 sports at OSU? “That was the starting point.” That is a priority at Ohio State. They want to maintain it. How the money gets spent will look different. The obligations to those athletes and fans is still relevant, as is the Title IX requirement. “To me, it’s the right thing to do…”
What should the NCAA’s role be in governance moving forward? Academic requirements, playing rules, countable hours, officiating, championships, those things should all remain. Division I is too big from a decision-making standpoint.
How will the College Sports Commission be more valid in reinforcement? Excited about the hire of the CEO. A staff will be built. The rules and regulations and desire for punishments will be explained. There is no more judgment by your peers. It’s one person separate from the colleges who will make these decisions. It will be a quicker, more streamlined process.
How do you combat sleepy fans for noon games? Technology will help, but also engaging the band and fans more. Moving Block O will increase student energy. Projects around the stadium will always be needed but they are done with thought and care, knowing that it’s an aging stadium and “yes, we do need to make money.”
What do you think of the House Settlement? It provides some clarity, which is good. It has provided a new enforcement entity. It doesn’t solve everything, so it’s not perfect, but it’s progress. It’s transformational progress. With Congress, it could be some simple changes: 1) legal protection so they aren’t sued every year; 2) some agreement with what student-athletes are short of employees; 3) federal law that negates state laws. The judge has already decided that the NCAA can make rules limiting what players can make, so that’s going to be very hard for anybody to penetrate.
There’s not a specific number in mind for how much they need from third-party collectives, especially since you always want it to grow.