Per Dana Balash
YSU athletics will pocket more than $3 million in football "money games" through 2027
The biggest payday was this season at Michigan State & YSU received $750,000.
Since 2005 the Youngstown State football team has been playing the so called "money games" against Power Five schools and received millions of dollars for the athletic department and the majority of time a loss.
Since their first "money game" at Pittsburgh, September 24, 2005 the Penguins have played 15 payday games and have only one win, 31-17 against the Panthers on September 1, 2012.
"Our community stuck by us and this win was for our community," said then head coach Eric Wolford following that game.
Now, these games are an every year occurrence for the Penguins. (So far no "money game" is scheduled for 2023)
From this years game at Michigan State, in which the Penguins were paid $750,000, through scheduled "money games" through 2027, Youngstown State will bring home $3.6 million dollars.
The breakdown includes:
2021 Michigan State $750,000
2022 Kentucky $550,000
2023
?
2024 Pittsburgh $450,000
2025 Michigan State $725,000
2026 Kentucky $575,000
2027 Maryland $600,000
(The contracts for each game was obtained through the Freedom of Information Act)
Youngstown was scheduled to play at Akron in 2020 and were guaranteed $300,000. That game was cancelled due to covid-19.
In comparison, Akron, an FBS school earned $3.6 million in two games this season. The Zips brought home $1.8 million each for games at Auburn & Ohio State.
YSU officials say the money earned in these games goes to the athletic department to help all sports.