The new era is rapidly evolving.
New revenue streams in college football allow fans to pay for access originally appeared on The Sporting News
In today’s college sports landscape, it’s more about winning financially and less about what happens on the field. Most athletic departments across the country are under mounting pressure to launch fundraising efforts. This means facilities, staff, and recruiting while also navigating the complexities of NIL payments and roster retention.
The result has been a new wave of revenue-generating fan experiences that blur the line between spectator and insider. But it's created massive appeal for obvious reasons.
Would you pay to sit in the Oklahoma postgame press conference following the Michigan game?
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) August 14, 2025
It will cost $692.11 per person.
“Hear OU coaches and players address reporters moments after the final whistle” pic.twitter.com/tS81I084FG
At Oklahoma, that creativity has taken the shape to the tune of nearly $700 to attend the postgame press conference.
Through GoFevo.com, the online marketplace that connects fans with experiences, the Sooners now allow two guests to sit in on media sessions after home games, according to OutKick's Trey Wallace. “Hear OU coaches and players address reporters moments after the final whistle,” the listing reads.
What was once the domain of credentialed journalists is now part of the pay-for-play operations.
Wallace went on to detail the many ways schools are going outside-the-box for the sake of their respective bottom lines. The norms like ticket sales, television contracts, and donations are still key, but why not tap into what might sell? Especially with soaring expenses.
The rise of NIL collectives has shifted financial responsibilities, while facilities upgrades continue to carry multi-million-dollar price tags. These fan experiences may not offset the full cost, but they do create fresh income streams at a time when every dollar counts.
Here are some of the other extras, according to Wallace.
Oregon charges more than $500 for fans to sprint out of the tunnel with the Ducks, a moment typically reserved for players.
Ohio State has monetized pregame access, asking $650 for field-level passes before marquee matchups.
USC has gone even further, selling a $1,700 “Fourth Quarter” experience that places fans on the sideline as the Trojans close out a game. However, this is only for the final minutes and not a ticket to enter the stadium.
Even Colorado, riding the Deion Sanders effect, has packaged behind-the-scenes tours of Folsom Field and the UCHealth Champions Center at $56 per person. While modest compared to other programs, the offering highlights a trend that every corner of college football can be covered and turned into inventory.
The big question is whether these experiences are sustainable long-term. For some fans, access to press conferences or sideline passes provides a once-in-a-lifetime memory. For others, the steep price tags will quickly phase out a section of the fans.
As NIL payouts expand and conference realignments happen over and over again, the need for more capital will be greater. Where is the line? Ultimately, the trend illustrates a hard reality in the new era of college sports.
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Category: General Sports
