$10,000 Tickets, Bourbon Deals: Colleges Hunt Revenue to Pay Athletes

Revenue Generation Strategies in Collegiate Sports - Universities are exploring creative revenue streams for sports programs, such as Penn State's $10,000 tunnel club access [1] - Power four conferences universities, including the Big 10 and SEC, are paying players up to 205 million or 20.5% this year [3] - The University of Michigan generated revenue by hosting a concert that sold 115,000 tickets [4] Impact of Revenue Sharing with Student Athletes - Colleges are now sharing revenue with student athletes due to federal settlements regarding name, image, and likeness [2][3] - Universities are seeking ways to generate revenue to compensate players [3] - Ohio State's sponsorship deals brought in $44 million in gross revenue last year and are expected to increase this year, with total sales reaching $260 million [5] Sponsorship and Advertising - Ohio State announced a multi-year sponsorship deal with Andril, a defense contractor [6] - Some athletic directors are advocating for branded ads on player jerseys, which is currently banned by the NCAA [7] Potential Concerns and Future Trends - Critics worry that the focus on revenue generation may detract from the core educational missions of colleges [7] - Expect to see more stadiums selling alcohol, premium tickets, and exclusive member experiences [7]