Story perspectives

Big Ten Distributes $1.37 B, Boosted by New Media Deal

5/2/2026

Summary

Big Ten Payouts

The Big Ten Conference paid $1.37 billion to its 18 schools for fiscal year 2024-25, $490 million more than the $883 million paid in 2023-24, its first year as an 18-team conference.
Average distribution rose to about $76.1 million per school, though Oregon and Washington received reduced shares after joining in August 2024.
The rise, driven by a seven-year $7 billion media-rights deal that began in 2024-25, also added $4 million from Ohio State’s 2024 football championship.

Summary

Commissioners Cash

Commissioner Tony Petitti earned more than $4.5 million in 2024-25, per the conference’s tax filing.
Former commissioner Jim Delany received $5.82 million in bonuses and deferred compensation plus $600,000 consulting fees for 2024-25.
Oregon and Washington received partial revenue shares of $48.4 million and $46.7 million for 2024-25, with full shares deferred to 2030.
The SEC distributed over $1 billion to its 16 members in 2024-25, averaging $72.4 million per school.

Summary

Big Ten Lobbying

Big Ten officials are lobbying NCAA leaders to expand the men’s basketball tournament to 76 teams and to create a 24-team College Football Playoff.
League executives warned the revenue surge, backed by a $1.37 billion distribution that supports over 14,000 student-athletes, could spark a television-ratings rivalry with the SEC.
The conference’s three straight football national titles, plus women’s and men’s basketball championships, have taken the “championship belt” from the SEC.

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Big Ten Payouts

The Big Ten Conference paid $1.37 billion to its 18 schools for fiscal year 2024-25, $490 million more than the $883 million paid in 2023-24, its first year as an 18-team conference.
Average distribution rose to about $76.1 million per school, though Oregon and Washington received reduced shares after joining in August 2024.
The rise, driven by a seven-year $7 billion media-rights deal that began in 2024-25, also added $4 million from Ohio State’s 2024 football championship.

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