The Ohio State men’s basketball program will pay six non-Power Five opponents a combined $455,000 during the 2023-24 season, according to a report by Adam Jardy of the Columbus Dispatch.
Signed game contracts obtained by The Dispatch revealed the early-season home foes will receive just under $100,000 each to compete against the Buckeyes at Value City Arena throughout November and December.
Central Michigan, Merrimack, Miami (Ohio) and New Orleans will all earn $90,000. The Privateers were originally scheduled to receive the same amount from Ohio State on Dec. 28, 2021, but the matchup was canceled after multiple Buckeye players tested positive for COVID-19.
Oakland, who is Ohio State’s opponent in its regular season opener on Nov. 6, will be paid $95,000.
Texas A&M, who will travel to Columbus for a matchup with the Buckeyes on Nov. 10, will not earn money to play at Value City Arena.
Conversely, Ohio State will be paid to compete in two non-conference neutral-site games in December.
Although the matchup and location of the event are still unknown, the Buckeyes will gain $250,000 to appear in the CBS Sports Classic on Dec. 16 for the sixth-consecutive year. According to the Columbus Dispatch, Ohio State will likely face off against UCLA in a location in the southeastern United States.
Ohio State will earn $25,000 in their final non-conference game of the season on Dec. 30 when the Buckeyes travel to Cleveland for a matchup against West Virginia at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
