Having success in college athletics means a willingness to spend money.
Ohio State's athletic department was no exception last year.
Per Sportico's Daniel Libit and Even Novy-Williams, Ohio State University reported $293 million in expenditures for the 2023-24 season. Ohio State has led the nation in athletic department spending in each of the last six years and its spending increased nearly $17 million from 2022-23, according to Libit and Novy-Williams.
Unsurprisingly, much of Ohio State's spending was on its football coaches, with the university spending $28.5 million on the staff. Total coaches' salaries increased from $45.