Own the group chat with The Weekender, highlighting the biggest stories in college sports, standout writing from Eleven Warriors, and a glance at what’s next.
SEC Distributes Record $1.03 Billion to Its Schools for 2024-25
That's...a lot of money.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey announced Thursday that the conference will distribute $1.03 billion to its 16 universities for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
“The SEC’s annual revenue sharing allows member universities to support elite athletics programs, including sustained and meaningful investment in women’s and Olympic sports that enhances opportunities and strengthens resources, while advancing the academic and athletic aspirations of thousands of student-athletes,” Sankey said in a statement.
“As college athletics continues to undergo significant change, SEC universities are well positioned to deliver new financial benefits for student-athletes while continuing to offer a transformative, life-changing college experience, including debt-free education and comprehensive support in coaching, training, academics, healthcare, mental wellness, nutrition, life skills, and post-eligibility medical coverage.”
That record-setting number is more than $200 million the amount that the SEC distributed in 2023-24. The $1 billion-plus is comprised of revenue generated from TV agreements, bowl games, the College Football Playoff, the SEC Football Championship Game, the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament, and NCAA Championships.
For those keeping track, the Big Ten announced last spring that it distributed over $900 million to its members, so that number for this fiscal year could potentially be in the billions as well.
North Dakota State in Talks to Join Mountain West in 2026
NDSU has won 10 of the last 15 FCS national championships, most recently in 2024, and includes nine national titles in 11 years (2011-21). Now, it appears the football powerhouse is ready for a new challenge: the FBS.
The Bison are in talks to join the Mountain West in football, according to Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger.
North Dakota State released a statement on Saturday regarding the report:
North Dakota State University is regularly involved in conversations about the future of collegiate athletics, including conference affiliation. We are aware of media reports and will have no further comments.
— North Dakota State University (@NDSU) February 7, 2026
Our focus remains on supporting our students, faculty and staff, and
The transition to the FBS level and, more specifically, the MWC would include a significant entrance fee (likely more than $10 million), which is being negotiated. It would also include a mandatory $5 million NCAA fee.
North Dakota State is 9-5 against FBS opponents since moving up to the CCS in 2004. That includes wins over Iowa, Iowa State and Minnesota (twice).
Starting in 2026, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah State will join the Pac-12, leaving only Air Force, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV, Wyoming, UTEP, and Northern Illinois (football-only) in the Mountain West as things currently stand.
The MWC completed its new TV deal with CBS, FOX, The CW and Kiswe last Tuesday, which goes until 2032, with Fox Sports, CBS Sports and The CW.
Gus Malzahn Retires From Coaching
In the coaching ranks since 1991, Malzahn – who is most recently Florida State's offensive coordinator – has decided to retire, he announced last Monday.
— Coach Gus Malzahn (@CoachGusMalzahn) February 2, 2026
Thirty-five years of coaching is quite a run. It includes stints as a head coach at Auburn (2013-20) and UCF (2021-24), as Malzahn was a coach in the high school ranks for 15 years and college for another 20.
During his time as an offensive coordinator at Auburn from 2009-11, Malzahn's high-powered Tigers' offense, led by Cam Newton, helped the Tigers finish with a perfect 14-0 record and a national championship, while Newton won the Heisman Trophy.
He spent just one season as Florida State's offensive coordinator before deciding to hang it up.
ICYMI
“It’s Surreal”: Ohio State Women’s Hockey Sending 12 Players, Including Five Current Buckeyes, to 2026 Winter Olympics
Nadine Muzerall says it’s “surreal” to have 12 Ohio State women’s hockey players – including five current Buckeyes – fulfilling their Olympic dreams at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Mike Vrabel Seeks to Become Third Buckeye Alumnus to Win Super Bowl As Head Coach or Coordinator
By coaching the Patriots in the Super Bowl, Mike Vrabel follows in the footsteps of two incredible fellow Buckeye alumni: Don McCafferty and Dick LeBeau.
“It Can’t Be A Year-to-Year Roster at Ohio State”: Ryan Day Wants Recruiting, Development to Remain Foundation for Buckeyes
Even though Ohio State added more transfers this year than ever before, Ryan Day says recruiting and developing high school prospects remain priorities for the Buckeyes.
What's Next
- Men's Basketball: vs. Michigan, 1 p.m. Sunday; vs. USC, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday; vs. Virginia (in Nashville), 8 p.m. Saturday
- Women's Basketball: at Oregon, 3 p.m. Sunday;
- Wrestling: at Penn State, 7 p.m. Friday
- 209 Days: Ohio State football opens season vs. Ball State
- 251 Days: Ohio State faces Indiana in Bloomington
- 293 Days: Ohio State hosts Michigan for The Game
