In 2020, Big Ten schools received a revenue distribution reported at $55.6 million (Rutgers and Maryland did not receive a full share). By comparison, ACC schools received anywhere between $27.6 million and $34 million (the ACC doesn’t have an even revenue distribution so each school may receive a different amount).
Even over the past year, which was torched in the budgets due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Big Ten schools receiving a full revenue distribution (Not Rutgers and Maryland) received $54.9 million. ACC schools received anywhere between $30.9 million and $37 million.
Financially speaking, it just doesn’t make sense for Penn State to abandon their Big Ten ties and cozy up with the ACC. That may not be music to the ears of football fans who would love to rekindle the annual series with Pittsburgh and Syracuse and make trips to Clemson and North Carolina, but that is the stone-cold truth.
If someone is going to pay you $20 million on an annual basis, wouldn’t you stay with them as well?
But brace yourself, because the Penn State and ACC conversation may not be ready to go away just yet.