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Sacramento State University is doing everything it can to become one of the new members of the reconfigured Pac-12 conference.
That includes securing a jaw-dropping $35 million in NIL funding despite its football program competing on the FCS level.
Josh Wood, the co-chair university’s Sac12 executive committee, says that the committee has secured $35 million in NIL commitments from “local business and community leaders and a local tribe.”
“The $35 million we have secured over the last 24 hours demonstrates the civic and business commitment of all of those in the greater Sacramento region to this effort, an effort we know will pay great dividends to the university’s athletes and students, as well as Hornet fans and businesses across Sacramento,” Wood told Pete Nakos of On3Sports. “We are thrilled to announce this tremendous first step and will continue to work to reach our stated goal of $50 million.”
Sacramento State’s Newly Acquired NIL Pool Would Be The Largest By Far In The FCS
Should that number prove true, it would be a massive statement of intent. The $35 million reprsents a huge investment for any college football program, and is a particulary eye-popping number for a program on the FCS level.
For comparison sake, the Ohio State Buckeyes spent around $20 million on their 2023 football roster according to athletic director Ross Bjork.
Now, obviously that $35 million has to stretch. It’s unlikely that the Hornets will spend at anywhere near the same level of the Buckeyes. But even if they spend $10 million per year on their roster, that’s a huge number.
Sacramento State currently resides in the Big Sky Conference. The Hornets won seven conference titles a year ago, and they currently rank No. 17 in the latest FCS Top 25.
Meanwhile, the Pac-12 is one team away from the eight necessary to be recognized as an FBS conference.
Whol knows whether the Pac-12 is interested in Sacramento State? But it’s abundantly clear that Sacramento State is interested in the Pac-12. And with that sort of financial backing, the university might just get its wish.