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L.M.....or......M.D.

Ohio State's Ross Bjork projects to have $500 million athletics budget 'very soon'​

Athletic director Ross Bjork expects Ohio State’s athletic department to be the first to record an annual operating budget of $500 million in the coming years.

“It’s going to happen,” Bjork said. “It could happen in three years from now. It could happen two years from now or five years from now. But we will have a $500 million athletic budget at some point in time very soon. We have that capability.”

Since replacing Gene Smith at the helm of the athletic department two years ago, Bjork has seen soaring revenues from ticket sales, sponsorship and licensing, as well as record fundraising following their national championship in football in 2024.

The university’s athletic department exceeded $300 million in operating revenue for the first time during the 2025 fiscal year, according to its annual financial report to the NCAA.

The department’s total of $336.1 million marked a significant spike from its previous high of $279.5 million from the 2023 fiscal year. Revenue and expense figures from this fiscal year ending on June 30 are not yet available.

Ohio State is a behemoth in college sports not only due to the stature of its football program, but also due to its sponsorship of 36 other varsity sports, leaving it tied with Stanford for the most among power conference schools.

Both factors have led the athletic department in recent years to pursue additional ways to generate revenue, especially as it also manages new expenses related to revenue-sharing with athletes that began last year following the settlement of three antitrust cases against the NCAA.

Bjork has sought to cultivate more donors as well as part of their fundraising efforts.

“There’s a lot of data that shows we have 12 million fans,” Bjork said. “If 1% of those people would join the Buckeye Club, what’s the math on that? One hundred and twenty thousand. Right now, we have about 25,000 donors, and that’s a great number, but how do we take the size and scale of Ohio State and maximize it?

“There really is no ceiling for our program from an engagement, enterprise, value, revenue, all of those things. That’s what we're really going to focus on. Take vision, turn it into action and make sure we're nationally competitive. We have to make sure there's some financial sustainable model.”

ESPN’s Paul Finebaum has made a surprising admission about the Ohio State Buckeyes ahead of the 2026 season​

Paul Finebaum has ruffled the feathers of Ohio State fans many times over the years. His latest comment on the Buckeyes may come as a surprise for that very reason.

Paul Finebaum tells it like it is with the Ohio State Buckeyes ​

“Nobody is in Ohio State’s league right now,” Finebaum said recently. “I saw that story the other day, and the idea of a half-billion-dollar athletic budget is truly amazing. Now, remember, Ohio State has more sports than the average SEC program. I would think Texas and Georgia are considerably behind that. It’s just a number, but it’s also where college athletics is.”

Finebaum is typically viewed as somewhat of an SEC homer in Big Ten land. He was honest about no other program being on Ohio State’s level right now athletics-wise. Of course, much of it has to do with the support of Buckeye Nation, as well as the success the football team can ride on every season.

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Jerquaden Guilford’s path to playing time is clear, and Ohio State’s future is counting on it​

Jerquaden Guilford enters one of the deepest receiver rooms in college football, but the former four-star prospect has all the tools to develop into a major contributor when Ohio State’s next wave of stars takes over.

Ohio State rarely asks true freshman wide receivers to become instant stars. It has happened before, Jeremiah Smith immediately became one of the best players in college football. Chris Henry Jr. is expected to have a major role from Day One this season. But those are exceptions, not the rule.

More often, Ryan Day allows receivers to spend a year learning the offense, developing physically, refining their route running, and adjusting to one of the deepest receiver rooms in the country before their opportunity arrives. That is exactly why Jerquaden Guilford’s long term outlook is so exciting.

The Fort Wayne native may not fill the stat sheet during his freshman season, but everything about his profile suggests Ohio State could be developing another future star. His combination of size, route running, body control, and athletic upside gives him one of the highest ceilings in the Buckeyes’ 2026 recruiting class.

If his progression follows the typical Ohio State wide receiver timeline, the next three seasons could tell the story of one of the program’s next great receivers.

Year one is about development, not production​

Ohio State just simply does not need Jerquaden Guilford to play significant snaps in 2026. That is a luxury few programs can offer.

The Buckeyes return arguably the best receiver in college football in Jeremiah Smith, while Brandon Inniss, Devin McCuin, Chris Henry Jr, and several experienced veterans headline one of the nation’s deepest receiver rooms. Earning meaningful offensive snaps as a freshman in that environment would be difficult for almost anyone.

Instead, Guilford’s first season should be spent exactly how Ohio State prefers to develop young receivers. Learning the offense, building strength, and perfecting the details that separate good receivers from future NFL Draft picks.

There is every reason to believe he is capable of making the leap. Guilford was one of the biggest risers in the 2026 recruiting cycle. After originally flying under the radar, he exploded nationally during his senior season, eventually finishing as one of the country’s top receiver prospects following an outstanding week at the Navy All American Bowl.

Ohio State beat out Michigan, Ole Miss, Indiana and several other Power Four programs to land his commitment after staying persistent throughout his recruitment.

What stands out most on film is how polished Guilford already is. He is an effortless mover who wastes very little motion getting in and out of his breaks, with advanced releases, natural ball tracking, soft hands, and the ability to consistently create separation at all three levels of the field.

He attacks leverage naturally, accelerates quickly off the line of scrimmage, and uses tempo and precise route running to keep defenders off balance rather than relying solely on elite speed. Add in his outstanding body control and ability to adjust to passes downfield, and it is easy to see why Ohio State believes his ceiling is so high.

He is still developing physically, particularly adding strength against press coverage, but that is exactly the type of improvement Ohio State’s strength staff has repeatedly helped receivers make over the years. Could Guilford work his way into the rotation late in the season if he progresses the right way? Absolutely.

If injuries occur or he develops faster than expected, his route running alone gives him a chance to contribute in specialized situations. But even if his stat line remains modest, it should not change expectations. This season is about building toward something much bigger.

Year two is where the opportunity arrives​

Everything changes entering the 2027 season. It’s expected that Jeremiah Smith, Brandon Inniss, and Devin McCuin are all expected to move on to the NFL after the 2026 campaign. And that should create one of the biggest opportunities Ohio State’s receiver room has seen in years.
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John Mobley Jr. Went Through NBA Draft Process “With Both Feet In,” But His “Heart Was Always at Ohio State”​

John Mobley Jr. didn’t just test the NBA draft waters, he dove in headfirst. Now back at Ohio State, he returns with a clear blueprint to improve, both as an individual and as a teammate.

Mobley loves being a Buckeye, but he knew that what's best for both his future and the Ohio State men's basketball team was for him to go through the NBA draft process while maintaining his eligibility. And not just go through it half-heartedly, but to go all in, both for him to get the best feedback and to develop and craft his game to figure out the things he must improve on the most.

"Go in with both feet in," Mobley said on June 19 while speaking to the media for the first time this offseason, words that Jake Diebler said earlier in the offseason. “Going in to do everything with the intentions of going to the NBA. Got good feedback."
Mobley didn't receive an invite to the NBA Scouting Combine, but he still had private workouts with NBA teams, all of whom gave him feedback. Although his shooting ability received rave reviews, he was told he needed to improve his defense and physicality. At 6-2 and 190 pounds, Mobley is smaller than most NBA guards, but he can make up for that to some extent by being more physical.

Now back at Ohio State for his third season with the Buckeyes, Mobley has already started to apply the feedback he received to his game.
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calibuck said:

Glad to hear this, and does your reply indicate that indeed it is continuing under Day? Hope so, as did expose our players to leaders in fields that they might have an interest after their shelf life in football is used up. Also, is this open to other sports, and genders as well? So enjoyed the commercial "We'll go pro in other fields" or somesuch paraphrase. Thanks for your response.

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Yes. Day has kept the program going.

wolves2002 said:

He had decompression surgery to relieve the C6-C7 vertebrae. Earlier today the report was that he had no feeling in his lower half, but doctors think it may not be permanent. It is likely fortunate he was not playing in a small rural town. The game was in Frisco, TX. There are a lot of quality hospitals and trauma centers within 5-10 miles.

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Brutal injury.

Very fluid for his size! I've heard Birm say there's a chance he outgrows DE, in this video I can see it.

SAVE MAN GETS PAID. Former Ohio State men’s hockey goaltender Jakub Dobes is cashing in after leading the Montreal Canadiens to the NHL’s Eastern Conference finals in this year’s playoffs.

Dobes received a three-year contract extension with an average annual salary of $5,357,575 from the Canadiens on Wednesday.

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Dobes was the NHL’s top rookie goaltender this past season, earning wins in 29 of his 43 regular-season appearances with a 2.78 goals against average and a .901 save percentage. He followed that up by earning nine wins with a 2.66 GAA and .908 save percentage in the playoffs, leading the Canadiens to series wins over the Tampa Bay Lightning and Buffalo Sabres before they lost to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes in the conference finals.

Blue Jackets sign goaltender Pheonix Copley to one-year contract​

The 34-year-old has posted a 44-17-8 record with a 2.85 goals-against average (GAA) in 78 career NHL games

Blue Jackets sign Riley Bezeau to one-year, two-way contract​

The forward spent the 2025-26 season with Cleveland (AHL), posting five goals, seven points and 74 PIM in 24 games

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed right wing Riley Bezeau to a one-year, two-way National Hockey League/American Hockey League contract for the 2026-27 season, club President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell announced today.

“Riley is a physical and hard-working forward that competes every shift,” said Waddell. “He has earned his opportunity and we look forward to see his further growth in the Blue Jackets organization.”

Bezeau, 24, has registered 15 goals and 12 assists for 27 points with 244 penalty minutes in 131 career AHL games with the Cleveland Monsters and Charlotte Checkers since making his professional debut in 2022-23. Originally undrafted, he set AHL career highs with Charlotte during his rookie campaign, notching 5-3-8 and 84 PIM in 51 outings. He has added four goals in 15 career Calder Cup Playoff games.

Blue Jackets sign forward Ryan Lomberg to two-year contract​

The 2024 Stanley Cup champion has 35 goals, 72 points and 807 hits in 394 career games over eight NHL seasons with Calgary and Florida.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed forward Ryan Lomberg to a two-year, $2.6 million contract ($1.3 million AAV) through the 2027-28 National Hockey League season, club President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell announced today.

“We’re very pleased to add Ryan Lomberg to the Blue Jackets family,” said Waddell. “He is a high-energy player who is an excellent skater, plays with tenacity and his experience and character will be a great addition to our team.”

Lomberg, 31, has registered 35 goals and 37 assists for 72 points with 475 penalty minutes, 807 hits and 465 shots on goal in 394 career games with the Calgary Flames and Florida Panthers over eight NHL seasons. He registered 4-5-9, 59 PIM and 129 hits in 57 appearances with the Flames in 2025-26. He has added 3-0-3 and 64 PIM in 32 career playoff outings and helped the Panthers win the 2024 Stanley Cup championship.

Blue Jackets sign Owen Sillinger to one-year, two-way contract​

The forward has spent the five seasons with Cleveland (AHL), including two as alternate captain, and made his NHL debut in 2025

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed center Owen Sillinger to a one-year, two-way National Hockey League/American Hockey League contract for the 2026-27 season, club President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell announced today.

“Owen is a smart, dependable, two-way forward who brings a strong work ethic every day,” said Waddell. “We are pleased to bring him back and look forward to him continuing to provide valuable depth and experience to our organization.”

Sillinger, 28, made his NHL debut with the Blue Jackets on Jan. 9, 2025 vs. the Seattle Kraken, collecting two penalty minutes on 13:09 time on ice. He originally signed a one-year, two-way NHL/AHL contract with Columbus on July 1, 2024.

Blue Jackets re-sign Erik Gudbranson to one-year contract​

The defenseman has played 15 NHL campaigns, including the past four with Columbus, and served as an alternate captain for three seasons

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Erik Gudbranson to a one-year, $1.75 million contract for the 2026-27 season, club President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell announced today.

“Erik has been the consummate professional during his Blue Jackets career, providing a physical, steady presence on our blueline and great leadership on and off the ice and we are thrilled that he will continue be an important part of our group,” said Waddell.

Gudbranson, 34, has registered 35 goals and 105 assists for 140 points with 864 penalty minutes, 1,757 hits and 1,157 blocked shots on 18:33 average ice time in 842 career games over 15 NHL seasons with the Blue Jackets, Calgary Flames, Nashville Predators, Ottawa Senators, Anaheim Ducks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks and Florida Panthers since 2011-12. He has posted 100 or more hits in nine of the 11 seasons with at least 40 games played. He has added 1-1-2 and 12 PIM in 31 career Stanely Cup Playoffs appearances.

Zurp said:

SEC is a basketball and baseball conference

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Cut him some slack. As a Georgia fan he’s never seen sustained success in either of those sports.

Not hating elite speed from the slot.

BB73 said:

No news, but the Alumni Association called me while I was driving about an hour ago.

The car radio was playing “Hang On, Sloopy” at the time. How did they know?

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Some phone apps listen to what’s going on and sell this data, so assuming you had your phone with you, it’s technically possible they knew. Not sure how likely it is that actually had something to do with the timing, but it could have.

JCOSU86 said:

I mean, how fast can a guy named Jett be really?

WELCOME!

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Depends how important the baseball and how big the dog is.

That said, very cool to see. This seems about as drama free as it will ever go for a top recruit. I’d imagine the Harrison’s would make sure it’s about development plain and simple.

Bags

Imagine if it's late in a playoff game and your backup guard was Mike Conley instead of Porter.. dayumm

Bagmen