UC Announces Football Schedule Changes With Ohio State The University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics has announced changes to its future football series with Ohio State, moving the 2012 game from Cincinnati to Columbus. The final game of the original contract, signed in 2003, will also be played in 2014 in Columbus. Following discussions with Ohio State Athletics in which they indicated their intent to opt out of the 2012 game, originally scheduled at Paul Brown Stadium, UC negotiated an enhanced agreement to play the game in Columbus. The compensation for that game now includes cash payments to Cincinnati valued at $1,000,000. These payments begin immediately and will be put toward funding of the new football initiatives at UC. “This particular football scheduling agreement with Ohio State, like all agreements, contained a buyout clause for the game in 2012.” says Director of Athletics Mike Thomas. “It was clear that Ohio State was prepared to exercise its contractual option to vacate this particular game, but we were able to negotiate an enhanced agreement for 2012.” “UC had no legal recourse, nor means to stop this action from taking place, due to the language in the original contract.” Head football coach Brian Kelly, who was involved in the negotiations, stated, “In this case UC is making the best out of a difficult pre-existing contract. It would be a shame to see the only BCS schools in the state of Ohio end an in-state rivalry on the football field. The state with the most-storied tradition in high school football should have that same excitement at the college level.” “I agree with Mike Thomas that playing future games on an even playing field will be an important factor in scheduling for the future,” continued Kelly. “This course of action is consistent with my philosophy that Cincinnati will play anyone, anywhere, at anytime.” The University of Cincinnati will close this current scheduling arrangement with the Buckeyes with a final game in 2014, also in Columbus. UC Athletics will be paid $375,000 from Ohio State for this final game, which ends the terms of the 2003 scheduling agreement. This is the final game between Cincinnati and Ohio State on the books.
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