Ohio State formally introduced future athletic director Ross Bjork on Wednesday and released the details of his contract with the Buckeyes, which is set to run through June 30, 2029, and will pay Bjork just over $2 million annually.
During Bjork’s term, which begins on July 1 of this year pending board approval, will pay him an annual base salary of $1.65 million in addition to $350,000 for annual media, promotions and public relations, $50,000 for fringe benefits and $10,000 for travel. Bjork will receive a lump sum payment totaling $1.09 million as a result of $750,000 owed to Texas A&M for his departure before his contract expired in 2026.
Bjork’s compensation is in line with what current athletic Gene Smith – who will retire on June 30 – makes, with his base salary and additional payments also pushing him above $2 million annually. While Bjork will take over for Smith on July 1, he will begin with the athletic department on March 1 as a senior advisor to Smith, making $175,000 per month as he transitions into his new role with the Buckeyes.
Bjork’s contract is also laden with incentives, including for top-10 rankings in the Director’s Cup and Capital One Cup; winning conference or national championships in football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball; and national championships in any other of Ohio State’s 36 varsity sports. There are also incentives for cumulative grade-point averages, scholar-athlete rates and student-athlete placement percentage, with those incentives ranging anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000.
Also in Bjork’s contract is a retention award totaling $500,000 if he remains at Ohio State through June 30, 2027, and a $750,000 retention award if he completes the length of his initial contract.
