For generations, Ohio State football has been part of the fabric of American sports culture. Saturdays were simple: turn on the TV, gather with family and friends, and watch the Buckeyes compete on the national stage.
That experience is changing — fast.
In 2025, following Ohio State and the Big Ten has quietly become more expensive than ever. What once required a single cable package now demands multiple streaming subscriptions, each with its own monthly fee. For many fans, the cost of staying connected is no longer just an inconvenience — it is becoming a real barrier.
The True Cost of Following Ohio State Football in 2025
To watch every major Ohio State and Big Ten matchup this season, fans are now forced to spread their attention — and their wallets — across several platforms:
-
ESPN: $29.99 per month
-
Amazon Prime Video: $14.99 per month
-
Peacock: $11.99 per month
-
Paramount+: $11.99 per month
-
FOX platforms: $19.99 per month
Individually, each subscription may seem manageable. Together, they add up quickly, especially for families, students, and longtime fans who grew up with free or affordable access to college football.
The result is a fragmented viewing experience that many Buckeye supporters say feels unnecessarily complicated.
From America’s Game to a Subscription Maze
College football has long marketed itself as the most accessible version of the sport — community-driven, regional, and rooted in tradition. Ohio State, one of the most recognizable brands in the country, has benefited from that identity for decades.
But as media rights deals expand and streaming platforms compete for exclusive games, fans are increasingly left behind. Key matchups are scattered across different services, forcing viewers to subscribe simply to avoid missing a single kickoff.
For Buckeye fans, the frustration is not just about money. It is about principle.
Many are asking how a sport built on mass appeal can continue to grow when access becomes limited to those who can afford an ever-growing list of subscriptions.
Buckeye Nation Pushes Back
Across social media, forums, and fan groups, Ohio State supporters are voicing the same concern: watching their team should not feel like a financial commitment.
Some fans admit they are skipping games. Others rely on highlights rather than live broadcasts. Younger viewers, especially students and recent graduates, say the cost makes full-season viewing unrealistic.
This shift matters. Live viewership fuels the energy, conversation, and cultural relevance of college football. When fans are priced out, the sport risks losing the very audience that made it powerful.
What This Means for the Future of College Football
The Big Ten’s media deals have brought unprecedented revenue to universities and conferences. In many ways, the sport has never been more profitable.
Yet the question remains: profitable for whom?
As Ohio State continues to draw massive national attention, the tension between revenue growth and fan accessibility is becoming impossible to ignore. If watching the Buckeyes requires juggling five different platforms, the model may eventually collapse under its own weight.
More fans are beginning to ask whether college football is still built for the people who fill the stadiums and support the teams — or primarily for corporations competing for streaming dominance.
A Conversation That Is Just Beginning
For now, Ohio State remains one of the most-watched programs in the country. But the growing backlash suggests that loyalty has limits.
Buckeye Nation is not walking away — yet. But the rising cost of watching Ohio State football is forcing an uncomfortable conversation that extends far beyond Columbus.
And as more fans speak up, one thing is clear: the future of college football may depend on whether the game can remain accessible to the very audience that made it America’s favorite Saturday tradition.