Ross Bjork on NIL, transfers and Ohio State’s plan in college football’s new era

Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork addressed the evolving landscape of college athletics, citing NIL, revenue sharing, and the transfer portal as significant factors contributing to uncertainty. In an interview with 10TV sports anchor Adam King and 97.1 The Fan’s Timmy Hall, Bjork emphasized the complexity of managing fluid rosters and NIL deals, noting that athletes must report third-party NIL earnings over $600 to avoid eligibility issues.

Ohio State is navigating these changes while maintaining competitive integrity. The program is focusing on high school recruitment and utilizing the transfer portal, with nine of 11 offensive starters returning and 28 new high school signees. Bjork highlighted the challenges of roster stability and patience in player development amid a new 105-player roster cap.

Concerns over NIL enforcement were also discussed, pointing to the incomplete staffing of the College Sports Commission and the inadequacy of the recent House settlement in keeping up with market changes. Bjork expressed frustration over the inability to regulate compensation effectively, as legal challenges