This year, Big Ten teams have found themselves bouncing back and forth across the entire country as they play fellow conference teams spanning from California to New Jersey. At halftime of a substantial win over Iowa, the Ohio State athletic director, Ross Bjork, commented on the cost and logistics of the Big Ten’s new nationwide playing field.
“Our travel budget, just so everyone knows, it went up over 2 million to adjust for this,” Bjork said. And he isn’t alone. Purdue University increased their funds by $500,000 according to On3. During the summer, Oregon University projected the long travel would add 4 million in travel expenses.
“It's not a cheap endeavor,” said Bjork, “I think the thing that we have to learn is what toll does it take on our athletes, right? What is the right amount of travel to go out there.”
Early season games are in line with Bjork’s assumptions and indicating that the travel takes a severe toll on the student-athletes. According to the Altoona Mirror, “Teams playing at opponents at least two time zones away are a combined 1-8 in conference games. Indiana, from the Eastern time zone, won on the road against UCLA for the only victory.”
The impact of travel and finances combined was discussed when the conference originally voted on adding the West Coast schools to the mix. However, as many East Coast schools pointed out, it is only a few hours longer than travel to long-time Big Ten conference school Nebraska. And, many schools only have one or two big cross-country trips.
"I think we're going to have to assess the next couple years and figure out what's the right rhythm, what's the right approach," Bjork said. "This year I think will be a nice learning curve for everyone."
