Ohio State University and Kent State University, two schools in Ohio with vastly different football programs, are facing similar challenges regarding their football schedules. Ohio State, a powerhouse in college football, generated $127 million in revenue in 2023, while Kent State’s football budget is around $9 million. Both schools are dealing with a high number of “guarantee games” on their schedules, where one team pays another to play at their home stadium with no return game planned.
Guarantee games are common in college football, where larger schools pay smaller programs around $1.5 million for a game. These matchups often result in lopsided victories for the larger school, but occasionally, the underdog secures a historic win along with a substantial paycheck. As the landscape of college sports changes, with a focus on compensating athletes, the future of guarantee games is uncertain. Ohio State’s athletic director, Ross Bjork, and Kent State’s AD, Randale Richmond, are evaluating the necessity of these games in their schedules.
In the current season, over 60 guarantee games will be played among Division I Football Bowl Subdivision schools, totaling $75 million in payouts. The arrangement of guarantee games extends beyond FBS matchups, including games with Championship Subdivision teams. Ohio State found itself in a unique situation for the 2024 season, where they scheduled three guarantee games due to various factors like conference realignment, deviating from their usual high-profile matchups against power conference opponents.
While Ohio State continues to make significant revenue from its games, the increase in guarantee games impacts revenue from areas such as concessions and souvenirs. On the other hand, Kent State, with a smaller budget, is also facing challenges with a series of guarantee games against top-ranked opponents. Both ADs are exploring ways to navigate the evolving landscape of college football scheduling.
With changes on the horizon in college athletics, schools like Kent State may not have the luxury of dictating their scheduling preferences. The impact of guarantee games on smaller programs is being scrutinized, with discussions around the fairness and feasibility of these matchups. The college football landscape is evolving, and decisions made by powerhouse programs will influence the future of guarantee games and scheduling in the sport.
