OSU pays over $3M to nonconference foes

Ohio State will pay almost $3.1 million to the opponents for its three nonconference football games this season.

The guarantee payments were included in copies of the game contracts obtained by The Dispatch through a public-records request.

The Buckeyes will pay Florida Atlantic $1.4 million for the teams’ season opener Aug. 31, then Cincinnati $375,000 for a matchup Sept. 7. They will pay Miami University $1.3 million for their final nonconference game Sept. 21. The total, slightly lower than in recent seasons, is $3.075 million.

All three games will be held at Ohio Stadium.

The Redhawks were a late addition to the schedule, replacing a home game against TCU that originally had been set for the Sept. 21 date as part of a home-and-home series.

But the home-andhome series with TCU was modified into one neutral site game, held last season at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Buckeyes left the Week 3 matchup with a 40-28 victory.

Both teams received $5 million for the arrangement, according to the game contract.