Buckeyes' Atheltic Director Makes Major Commitment to the Football Program
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Ohio State has long needed an upgrade to its practice facility, the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, and from the sounds of it, they might finally be getting it.
On Thursday, Ohio State Athletic Director Ross Bjork announced that the Ohio State football program will become the first program in America to have a $500M operating budget.
Along with that, Bjork announced that they are in the planning phase for a massive upgrade to the "Woody" that is about 18 months away from breaking ground.
The Buckeyes' practice facility is simply too small. Logistically speaking, the meeting rooms are cramped, positioning groups have to get creative with their meeting spaces, and for no reason at all, the players and coaches are just too cramped.
Ross Bjork on Ohio State’s plans for major improvements to the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, including a new addition.
He said there has been some money raised, but more visibility needs to be brought to the project. He estimated they’re still 18 months away from breaking ground. pic.twitter.com/Z4RYr4mlMC
— Dillon Davis (@DillonDavis56) June 25, 2026
That is not the treatment that the top program in the entire country needs or deserves, and it needs to be adjusted.
Bjork said that there has been some money raised, but more attention needs to be brought to the matter over the course of the next year and a half.
The bigger news is the $500M operation budget.
#OhioState AD Ross Bjork talking to local media right now.
"We will be the first program to have a $500 million budget," he said.
— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) June 25, 2026
That number is simply insane.
This is a budget that includes salary cap, recruiting, travel, hotel, food, and everything that is included that is needed to run a football team.
To say this is first-class treatment would be a complete understatement of what these players, coaches, and staff will receive with a budget of this size. This is incredible and something that the Buckeye Nation will enjoy the fruits of.
A budget like this is what will allow Ohio State to get the top players either on the recruiting trail or in the transfer portal. It will allow the players to travel comfortably and stay comfortable.
Logistics for a football team are something that goes totally unnoticed, but when they are good or great, the team really benefits from that.
This is a major upgrade for an Ohio State team that needs it. They were at the top of the mountain two seasons ago, but came up short last year.
It will take everything that they can do, from top to bottom, to get back to where they want to go. The athletic department is putting its money where its mouth is, and now it is up to the team to pony up and hold its end of the bargain.
Buckeye Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Ohio State Buckeyes. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos