Ohio State Athletic Director Bjork Discusses Legislative Changes and New Playoff Era

COLUMBUS, Ohio. Ross Bjork, the athletic director at Ohio State University, sat down with reporters in his office on Oct. 22 to discuss rapid changes in the college sports industry. The interview covered federal legislation, the upcoming expansion of the College Football Playoff, and his working relationship with university President Ravi Bellamkonda.

Bjork has served as athletic director for two and a half years. He described the period as a time of constant flux, comparing his current role to the third or fourth version of the position. He said the industry changes by the minute and that Ohio State aims to lead in this evolving environment. Bjork stated that the university seeks to be on the right side of financial and enterprise equations while maintaining academic and athletic success.

The Protect College Sports Act passed the Senate a few weeks ago, and the Big Ten Conference issued a statement supporting it. Bjork said the bill provides a needed framework for modern student athletes. Key provisions include a firm revenue sharing cap, the elimination of third-party NIL agreements, five years of eligibility, and a one-time transfer exception. He noted that while the bill includes some provisions on conference alignment and television negotiations that the Big Ten finds unnecessary, the clarity it offers is the most important benefit. The bill moves to the House in early November after the election, where further negotiation is expected over the next 30 to 60 days.

Regarding the College Football Playoff, Bjork confirmed that the format will expand to 24 teams for the 2027 season. Seeds one through eight will host second-round games on their campuses, while seeds nine through 16 will host first-round games. He argued that the expansion keeps regular-season games impactful. Bjork cited this year’s loss to Texas as an example of how a narrow margin for error can hurt a team in a 12-team field. In a 24-team field, he said, high-profile games like the upcoming match against Alabama remain vital for seeding and exposure.

Bjork praised President Bellamkonda, who was named in January 2025. He said the Board of Trustees made the right decision by selecting Bellamkonda immediately without an interim step. Bjork noted that Bellamkonda, who previously served as provost, brought momentum and clarity to the university. He highlighted that Bellamkonda traveled to Washington, D.C., with three other Big Ten presidents to advocate for the Protect College Sports Act. Bjork described Bellamkonda as energetic and a quick study on governance and regulatory issues in college sports.

The athletic director said the relationship has been strong, with both leaders sharing a spirit of creativity and growth for Buckeye Nation. He noted that Bellamkonda has quickly become a favorite among athletes and coaches. Bjork said the stable leadership allowed the university to continue its operations without uncertainty during a complex period for higher education.

Bjork concluded by stating that Ohio State must maintain the highest standards in college football. He said the expanded playoff provides the financial resources needed for projects like the Woody Hayes Fieldhouse renovation, ensuring the program remains at the top of the game.