The Big Bucks

It's the best teams money can buy. Ohio State is spending $109,382,222 on athletics this year, the biggest athletic budget in college sports history. That breaks down to $110,000 for each of the 980 athletes.

All this while the region is getting roiled by harsh economic forces. According to the Wall Street Journal, the state's median household income fell 9.3% between 2000 and 2005, one of the worst declines for any state during that span.

Cleveland and Cincinnati, both of which had more than 25% of residents living below the poverty line in 2006, are two of the five poorest cities in America. From 2002 to 2005, the state legislature decreased annual support for the state's universities. In response, Ohio State instituted its highest annual tuition increases in nearly 40 years, boosting rates nearly 60% from 2002 to 2006.

Thanks to First and 10 Inches for sending this our way!