College Football Program at School Led by Shaquille O’Neal Set to Splurge $10Mfor FBS Berth

Shaquille O’Neal has joined Sacramento State as a voluntary general manager at a critical moment for the college football program. The Hornets are aiming to elevate their status to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) after the NCAA denied their initial request to join as an independent. Sacramento State now seeks a conference invitation, willing to pay over $10 million as an entry fee, not including the $5 million needed to move from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to FBS.

O'Neal's involvement is strategic, leveraging his influence to boost recruiting and attract attention to the program—key elements in securing a conference spot. The university's president, Luke Wood, supports this strategy, viewing it as an opportunity to generate additional revenue. Sacramento State has targeted the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and the Mountain West Conference, offering to forgo league revenues to join. The program's proposal is timely, as the MAC is undergoing changes and is negotiating a new ESPN media deal