The Weekender: SEC Breaks the Billion-Dollar Barrier, NDSU Eyes the FBS, and Gus Malzahn Calls It a Career
Welcome to The Weekender - your go-to rundown of the biggest stories shaking up the college sports landscape. From billion-dollar business in the SEC to a powerhouse program on the move and a coaching legend stepping away, here's what you need to know heading into the weekend.
SEC Distributes Record $1.03 Billion to Member Schools
Yes, you read that right: $1.03 billion.
The SEC just set a new high-water mark in college athletics revenue distribution, announcing that it will share over a billion dollars among its 16 member institutions for the 2024-25 fiscal year. That’s more than $200 million more than what was distributed last year, and it’s a clear sign of the SEC’s growing financial muscle.
Commissioner Greg Sankey emphasized that this isn’t just about football stadiums and locker rooms. According to Sankey, the revenue will help fund a wide array of programs - from women’s and Olympic sports to academic support and student-athlete wellness. We're talking about investments in everything from nutrition and mental health resources to debt-free education and post-eligibility medical coverage.
This money comes from a wide range of revenue streams: TV deals, bowl games, the College Football Playoff, the SEC Championship Game, the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament, and NCAA championships. That diversified income is a big reason why the SEC continues to lead the pack.
And while the Big Ten isn’t far behind - it handed out over $900 million last year - this latest move by the SEC could push the arms race in college athletics to a whole new level.
North Dakota State in Talks to Join the Mountain West
North Dakota State has been the gold standard in FCS football for over a decade - 10 national titles in the last 15 years, including a dominant run from 2011 to 2021. Now, it looks like the Bison are ready to take the next step: a move to the FBS, with the Mountain West Conference as the likely landing spot.
According to reports, NDSU is in active discussions to join the Mountain West starting in 2026. The school acknowledged the chatter but kept things close to the vest, saying it regularly evaluates its place in the evolving college athletics landscape.
This move wouldn’t come cheap. The transition to the FBS level - and the Mountain West specifically - would require a significant financial commitment. That includes a conference entrance fee that could exceed $10 million, plus a mandatory $5 million NCAA fee.
But this isn’t just a program with dreams - it's a program with a résumé. Since making the jump to Division I in 2004, NDSU is 9-5 against FBS opponents, including wins over Iowa, Iowa State, and Minnesota (twice). They’ve proven they can hang with - and beat - the big boys.
Timing is everything, and the timing here is notable. Starting in 2026, the Mountain West will look very different. Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah State are all heading to the Pac-12, leaving behind a reshaped conference that includes Air Force, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV, Wyoming, UTEP, and football-only member Northern Illinois.
The Mountain West just locked in a new media rights deal with CBS, FOX, The CW, and Kiswe that runs through 2032. That kind of long-term stability - paired with NDSU’s championship pedigree - could make this a strong fit for both sides.
Gus Malzahn Retires After 35 Years in Coaching
After three and a half decades on the sidelines, Gus Malzahn is stepping away from coaching.
Malzahn announced his retirement last Monday, ending a career that spanned high school and college football, and included some unforgettable moments along the way.
He made his biggest mark at Auburn, where he served as offensive coordinator from 2009 to 2011 before taking over as head coach in 2013. That 2010 Auburn team - led by Cam Newton - went 14-0, won the national title, and saw Newton take home the Heisman Trophy. Malzahn’s up-tempo offense was ahead of its time, and it changed the way teams approached the game.
After his Auburn tenure, he led UCF from 2021 to 2024 and most recently spent a season as Florida State’s offensive coordinator.
From high school playbooks to national championship glory, Malzahn’s career has been a journey marked by innovation, intensity, and impact. Now, he’s hanging up the headset - and leaving behind a legacy that will be felt for years to come.
ICYMI: Buckeyes on the Olympic Stage, Vrabel’s Super Bowl Moment, and Ryan Day’s Roster Vision
- Ohio State Women’s Hockey is Olympic-bound: Twelve Buckeyes, including five current players, are heading to the 2026 Winter Olympics. Head coach Nadine Muzerall called it “surreal,” and it’s a testament to the program’s incredible growth and development.
- Mike Vrabel joins elite Buckeye company: By coaching the Patriots in the Super Bowl, Vrabel follows in the footsteps of Ohio State legends Don McCafferty and Dick LeBeau.
- Ryan Day doubles down on development: Despite bringing in more transfers than ever before, Day made it clear that high school recruiting and player development remain the foundation of Ohio State’s program. “It can’t be a year-to-year roster,” he said - and that philosophy could be key to long-term success in the ever-shifting college football world.
That’s all for this edition of The Weekender. Whether you’re keeping tabs on billion-dollar moves or watching a dynasty take the next step, one thing’s clear: college sports never sleep.