Ducks are among college football's biggest spenders
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Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore. Photo: WJ/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Oregon Ducks have one of the most expensive rosters in college football, with an estimated 2026 budget of $48 million to $54 million, according to a new analysis by The Athletic.
Why it matters: Now that colleges can directly pay athletes, money is becoming an even bigger part of building a winning football program.
By the numbers: The No. 21 Ducks have the second highest estimated roster budget across the Power 4 conferences, sitting just behind No. 6 Ohio State, which is spending $49 million to $54 million this year on its players.
- That's the same Buckeyes team that ended Oregon's undefeated 2024 season at the Rose Bowl 41-21.
Yes, but: The numbers aren't exact.
- The Athletic interviewed more than 70 sources and contacted at least one employee at each school, but it said estimates varied widely because player deals can include incentives, perks and outside endorsement money.
- What the outlet did find, though, was a strong correlation between roster spending and winning.
Follow the money: Programs with at least a 50% projected chance of making the College Football Playoff averaged between $41 million and $46 million in roster spending, the Athletic found.
- Teams averaging about $19 million to $23 million in spending had less than 5%.
Meanwhile, Nike co-founder and billionaire Phil Knight hasn't been shy about flexing his wallet for his alma mater.
- Knight's donations to UO have pushed past the $1 billion mark in recent years, and he spearheaded the launch of Division Street — a marketing company to help UO athletes capitalize on their name, image and likeness.
State of play: The Ducks entered the season with unusually high expectations. Its current roster features a balanced mix of veterans, high-profile transfers and returning starters, including quarterback Dante Moore, who helped the team make last season's playoffs.
- Plus: Oregon opened the year ranked No. 2 in the AP poll — the highest preseason ranking in program history.
What's next: The Ducks, coming off a 39-31 loss at Oklahoma State last week, host Portland State at 7:30pm Friday at Autzen Stadium.
- We'll see what all that money can buy Nov. 7, when the Ducks face the big-spending Buckeyes.