There was an interesting story in the Des Moines Register about the high cost of filling out a nonconference schedule for Division I-A teams. Through Open Records Acts, the newspaper was able to obtain the nonconference payouts of 82 percent of the teams playing Division I-A football, including all but one game involving a Big 12 team. Here's a chart listing the payouts and income that each school will receive and where it ranks nationally.
The information gleaned from the survey tells me it's getting more expensive than ever to convince schools from non-BCS conferences to make road trips. And it also shows that the wealthiest Big 12 teams are willing to pay top dollar for those games.
Consider that Nebraska will pay three opponents at least $800,000 this season, topped by the $825,000 given to New Mexico State.
And Texas' opener Saturday night against Florida Atlantic will provide a $900,000 infusion to the Owls' strapped athletic budget -- the highest guarantee for the Longhorns in school history.
Payouts and income for Big 12 schools
School
Nat. rank
Total payouts
Total revenues
Payouts/Revenues
Nebraska
2
$2.725M
None
Virginia Tech, $300,000 Western Michigan, $800,000 San Jose State $800,000 New Mexico State, $825,000
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Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin joined ESPN.com in February 2008. He has covered the Big 12 since its inception, among a variety of beats during a 24-year career at the San Antonio Express-News. Griffin, a Memphis State University graduate, lives in San Antonio with his wife and son.
Tim Griffin joined ESPN.com in February 2008. He has covered the Big 12 since its inception, among a variety of beats during a 24-year career at the San Antonio Express-News. Griffin, a Memphis State University graduate, lives in San Antonio with his wife and son.
