The Rose Bowl game, scheduled for January 1, 2025, at the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, represents a major event in college football, offering significant financial rewards for participating teams and conferences. This year’s matchup features Ohio State and Oregon, two teams vying for victory in the College Football Playoff (CFP) quarterfinals under the newly expanded 12-team playoff format for the 2024/25 season.
Financial Structure of the CFP:
Base Payouts: Every team in the CFP field receives a $4 million base payout for qualifying, regardless of their performance in the playoffs.
Quarterfinal Bonuses: Advancing to the quarterfinals, as Ohio State and Oregon have, secures an additional $4 million payout per team, bringing their total earnings to $8 million each.
Additional Financial Considerations:
Travel and Logistical Expenses: Each team is also allocated $3 million per round to cover expenses related to neutral-site games like the Rose Bowl. This funding ensures teams can effectively manage the costs of traveling and competing in high-profile venues.
Distribution of Earnings:
The funds are not retained solely by the individual schools but are distributed to their respective conferences. This collective approach ensures that the success of one team benefits the entire conference.
For example, the Big Ten, which includes four CFP teams like Ohio State, is expected to earn approximately $20 million from this year’s CFP. Similarly, the Pac-12, represented by Oregon, will also gain substantial financial benefits.
Further Incentives for Success:
Teams advancing to the semifinals earn an additional $6 million.
Teams competing in the championship game receive another $6 million.
This tiered payout system underscores the high stakes and financial significance of every game in the CFP, not just for the teams but also for their conferences.
As Ohio State and Oregon prepare to face each other, the Rose Bowl offers not only a pathway to potential championship glory but also an opportunity to secure substantial financial resources to strengthen their programs and conferences in the future.