USC to spend more than $3 million in payouts to host nonconference football games
South Carolina will foot a $3.35 million bill payable to its opponents for 2022 nonconference football games against Georgia State (Sept. 3), Charlotte (Sept. 24) and South Carolina State (Oct. 1).
The smaller schools sign up for these contests — known as buy games or guarantee games — for exposure, but also as a means for bolstering their own athletic department budgets. These games feature Power Five opponents hosting either a Group of Five or FCS team.
Clemson has two of these games this year (Furman, Louisiana Tech). Georgia has two as well (Samford, Kent State). Statewide, Charleston Southern plays at N.C. State, while S.C. State has guarantee games against UCF and the Gamecocks.
Here’s a look at how the contracts for USC’s nonconference home games in 2022 break down. All figures shown are compiled from game contracts obtained by The State through an open records request:
Sept. 3: home vs. Georgia State
South Carolina will pay Georgia State the most out of any of its Group of Five nonconference opponents this year with a $1.45 million fee. That sum is to be paid on or before Dec. 1 after the game is played.
Other notes:
- Georgia State will get a maximum 60 sideline passes for the game to accommodate coaches, trainers and working personnel.
- South Carolina allotted 1,000 complimentary tickets to Georgia State located in the lower bowl of Williams-Brice Stadium.
- Should either team have canceled the contract, the school breaching the contract would owe the other a sum of $1.5 million within 90 days of the decision to terminate the contract.
Sept. 24: home vs. Charlotte
South Carolina will pay Charlotte $1.4 million for their game at Williams-Brice Stadium. USC has until Jan. 31, 2023 to pay that in full.
Other notes:
- Charlotte will get a maximum of 60 sideline passes for the game to accommodate coaches, trainers and working personnel.
- South Carolina will allot 1,000 complimentary game tickets to Charlotte for seats located in the lower bowl of Williams-Brice Stadium.
- In the event the contract was canceled, the team responsible for breaching the deal would owe the other a sum of $1.5 million within 90 days of the cancellation.
Oct. 1 vs. South Carolina State
USC will pay S.C. State $500,000 for their contest this fall. The University of South Carolina will owe that money on or before Jan. 31.
Of that, $250,000 will be paid to S.C. State, while the other $250,000 will be to the S.C. State University Foundation “on behalf of athletics,” according to the game contract.
Other notes:
- South Carolina State will get a maximum of 60 sideline passes for the game to accommodate coaches, trainers and working personnel.
- South Carolina will allot 1,000 complimentary tickets to S.C. State for seats in the lower bowl of Williams-Brice Stadium to Charlotte.
- Should the contract be breached or canceled, the school breaking the deal would owe the other $500,000 within 90 days of the cancellation.
This story was originally published August 30, 2022 at 6:30 AM.
