Guaranteed payments are a common practice in college football scheduling. These payments represent sums of money one university agrees to pay another to secure a game, particularly when a larger, more established program hosts a smaller program. These agreements are crucial to understanding the financial dynamics of intercollegiate athletics.
Such agreements provide smaller programs, like Appalachian State, with vital revenue streams, helping to support their athletic programs. For larger programs, hosting these games typically generates revenue through ticket sales, concessions, and potentially broadcasting rights, even after factoring in the agreed-upon payment. The historical context reveals a shifting landscape where these financial arrangements play an increasing role in scheduling strategies.
