Ross Bjork Confirms Ohio State Retains All Sports
The athletic department will maintain 36 varsity sports while focusing on financial stability and competitive performance.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Football
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Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork announced the university will keep its 36 varsity sports programs active. This commitment comes as the athletic department reports maintaining a financial surplus for two consecutive years.
Why it matters
Maintaining a comprehensive athletic program serves as a point of pride for the university, though leadership requires increased cost certainty to navigate the evolving landscape of college athletics.
The athletic department has achieved a perfect 1000 APR score for two consecutive years and maintained the best team GPA for six consecutive semesters. Additionally, the university has hosted the NCAA women's basketball regional tournament for three consecutive years.
The players
Ross Bjork
He serves as the athletic director for Ohio State University and is responsible for managing the department's financial strategy and varsity sports programs.
Julian Sayin
He is a quarterback for the Ohio State football team currently sidelined due to an injury.
The details
To support its broad roster of sports, the department plans to improve efficiency by prioritizing higher-revenue matchups in its scheduling. Leadership intends to preserve existing levels of academic support, nutritional training, and health services for all student-athletes despite shifting financial pressures.
Timeline
October 22, 2026: Ross Bjork confirmed the commitment to 36 sports in a sit-down interview.
October 29, 2026: Official publication of the department's strategic update.
Season Trajectory
Maintaining 36 sports keeps the university in line with the high standards set by the NCAA Academic Progress Rate requirements. This strategic stability aims to protect the program's long-term competitive health amidst the broader restructuring of college athletics.
Fans can expect a renewed emphasis on scheduling high-revenue football games to ensure the athletic budget remains balanced. Additionally, the football team must perform well in its final five games to satisfy department expectations following the loss to Texas.
The takeaway
Ohio State demonstrates that academic and athletic success can coexist by securing perfect APR scores while remaining profitable. The administration's focus on efficient scheduling serves as a model for how large departments can protect minor sports in a volatile market.
Further reading
For more on the current state of the program, explore the latest Football coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Lantern.
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Should universities prioritize maintaining as many varsity sports as possible despite rising athletic costs?
