A Tale of Two NILs: Ohio State vs. Grambling

By Tanya Hughes — Olympian, D1 Sports Mom, NIL Coach & Consultant

Introduction

When Ohio State defeated Grambling State 70–0 on September 6, 2025, the scoreboard told one story. But the real blowout wasn’t on the field, it was on the balance sheet.

This game quickly became a case study of the new Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) revenue-sharing era, where athletic budgets and financial realities matter as much as touchdowns and tackles.

The Tale of Two Programs

Ohio State University
- Athletic Budget: $187.9M
- NIL Revenue-Share Potential: $41.3M (22% of budget –CAPPED AT $20.5M)
- Big Ten powerhouse with national reach and deep resources
Grambling State University
- Athletic Budget: $2.5M
- NIL Revenue-Share Potential: $547K (22% of budget)
- HBCU with rich tradition, but financially limited

Source: NCAA Revenue Sharing & NIL Estimates 2025

Same rules. Same sport. Completely different realities.

The “Money Game” Equation

Grambling State received $1M to play Ohio State according to the Columbus Dispatch. That single paycheck represents nearly 40% of its entire athletic budget.

These guaranteed games are financial lifelines for HBCUs and smaller programs. But they also come with almost guaranteed lopsided results. For the larger schools, they’re simply part of business. For the smaller schools, they’re survival.

The NIL Revenue-Share Era

The House v. NCAA Settlement set a $20.5M cap for revenue sharing across all programs. On paper, that looks equal. In practice, it widens the gap:

Ohio State can afford to hit its ceiling, using resources to attract and retain elite athletes.
Grambling can only stretch to $547K, a fraction of what its Power Five opponents can offer.

The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), which includes Grambling, opted into revenue sharing. That decision brings opportunity—but also financial pressure—for historically underfunded programs.

The Real Blowout

The final score read 70–0. But the real scoreboard showed a 75x budget gap and a financial divide that dictates outcomes before the first whistle.

This is the new NIL landscape:

Larger budgets = bigger revenue-share pools
Bigger pools = stronger recruiting power

Stronger recruiting = sustained dominance

Why This Matters for Parent GMs, Coaches, and Athletes

For Parent GMs: Don’t just track your child’s stats—track the financial stats of the programs recruiting them. Budgets determine opportunities.

For Student Athletes: Understand that NIL is no longer just about endorsements. It’s tied directly to your school’s revenue share and financial health.

For Coaches: Recruiting strategy must shift. Competing in this landscape requires not only player development but also navigating financial realities.

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“Tanya Hughes, Olympian and ‘The Mother of NIL,’ empowers athletes and families through entrepreneurship and NIL education.”

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