Sacramento State football, College sports are changing faster than ever, and at the heart of this transformation is a story that could reshape an entire university’s athletic identity. Sacramento State is making bold moves to secure its place in the future of college football, and the journey is both ambitious and uncertain.
The university’s plan to build a 25,000-seat football stadium and aim for a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) spot is unfolding amid a wave of new rules, landmark legal settlements, and financial pressures that will redefine Division I athletics.
Sacramento State Football Future and the FBS Dream
The Sacramento State football future is tied closely to the broader shifts in college sports. Following the House v. NCAA settlement, universities can now raise more funds for athletes through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) programs and direct payments. Each school will operate under a $20.5 million cap to support athletes across all sports, forcing schools to rethink how they recruit, retain, and reward players.
Mark Orr, Sacramento State’s athletic director, said the school is actively seeking community, corporate, and donor support to strengthen its NIL programs. “We want our supporters in Sacramento, whether you’re a business owner or a donor, to support our student-athletes and earn that extra income. … It’s certainly going to help us in recruitment and retention,” he explained.
Financial Reality Behind Sacramento State Football
Sacramento State’s football program is already a major investment. In 2024, it operated at a deficit of $2.85 million, spending $6.67 million while bringing in $3.82 million in revenue. Like many colleges, the gap was covered by institutional support and student fees.
Moving to the Big West Conference for non-football sports will help reduce travel costs and improve recruiting, but football remains outside the Big West structure. That leaves two paths to the FBS: either receive an invitation from an existing FBS conference or play independently, neither of which is guaranteed.
Challenges Facing Sacramento State Football Future
Stanford professor emeritus Roger Noll, who has studied sports economics for 50 years, warns that the new system will create a growing gap between powerhouse schools and programs like Sacramento State. “Michigan, USC, Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, those schools are going to spend $20 million a year on salaries,” he said. “There’s no chance in hell you’re going to be able to compete with them if you’re Sac State in recruiting anybody.”
The cap on athlete compensation applies across all sports, creating tough choices. Every dollar spent on football impacts funding for other sports. Smaller programs may face cuts to remain competitive in key sports like football and basketball while still meeting Title IX requirements.
Sacramento State’s Strategy: Adapt or Fall Behind
Orr believes embracing the changes is the only way forward. “It’s changed how we recruit, how we retain student-athletes. We’ve embraced it, and we’re going to be aggressive with it. It’s important to our mission.”
Sacramento State also sees potential benefits in media rights, ticket sales, and increased donor engagement if it successfully transitions to the FBS. Estimates suggest the move could bring “millions upon millions” in new revenue, with Pac-12 schools receiving around $10 million annually from media deals alone.
What the Experts Predict
Noll foresees a future where FCS programs like Sacramento State may not survive in their current form. “There’s no way on God’s earth you’re going to be able to compete against FBS schools in FCS in the future,” he said. “That means FCS is no longer viable.”
He also warns that the NCAA’s current strategies to maintain salary caps could face further antitrust challenges, meaning the landscape could shift even more dramatically in the coming years.
What This Means for Fans and the Sacramento Community
For fans, alumni, and local businesses, this is a defining moment. Supporting Sacramento State football isn’t just about winning games, it’s about sustaining an entire athletic department and ensuring opportunities for student-athletes. NIL partnerships, ticket sales, and donations will play a crucial role in shaping the Sacramento State football future.
FAQs About Sacramento State Football Future
- What is the main goal of Sacramento State football right now?
The primary goal is to move from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) while building a 25,000-seat stadium. - How does the $20.5 million cap affect Sacramento State?
This cap limits how much athletes across all sports can be paid above cost of attendance, forcing tough budgeting decisions. - Will other sports at Sacramento State be affected?
Possibly. Smaller programs may face funding pressures due to the new compensation structure. - How can local businesses and donors help?
By participating in NIL collectives and sponsorships that provide student-athletes with earning opportunities. - When could the FBS transition happen?
The process depends on receiving a conference invitation or independent schedule approval, neither of which is finalized.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Financial figures, projections, and opinions are based on reported data and expert commentary as of 2025. Future developments may alter these outcomes.
