Fox Sports’ Gus Johnson was critical of Ohio State athletics’ revenue distribution formula between sports, claiming that Ryan Day gets a lion’s share. Johnson commented on the school’s funding model while calling the Ohio State vs. No. 15 Virginia game on Saturday.

The Cavaliers beat the Buckeyes 70-66 in Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, with Johnson calling the play with Jim Jackson for FOX Sports. The two discussed the rosters of the opposing teams in the first half of the game, and Johnson made an observation.

“The difference between UVA and Ohio State is that UVA paid for it,” he said. “Ohio State, they’re giving all the money to Ryan Day.”

The comment is a subtle jab at the Buckeyes for prioritizing the Ryan Day-led football program at the expense of the basketball program. Jackson, who is a former basketball star for the Buckeyes, explained the challenge facing the Buckeyes and teams with similar football programs.

“And that’s the challenge you have with a lot of football schools, is the distribution of cash. Now, how many times do you go to the same donors is a question as well. But this is an evolving scenario for all these schools, especially a school like Ohio State. If you want to compete, you’ve got to pay nowadays.”

Johnson offered to help the Buckeyes basketball team with lobbying.

“I’m going to have to call President Walter Carter and ask him if he can show some love and pocketbook to Buckeyes basketball,” he said.

Can Ohio State basketball improve with more funding?

While Johnson’s comments about the Buckeyes’ basketball might have some truth to it, the team was not a walkover for Virginia on Saturday. However, it lost by six points to drop to 16-9 on the season and 8-6 in Big Ten play.

Nevertheless, committing more funds to the program may be all that is needed to revive the team, especially in this age of NIL. Meanwhile, Johnson also noted the effort put in by the Cavaliers’ first-year coach, Ryan Odom.

“What a job coach Odom has done with this roster for Virginia. When Coach Bennett decided to retire, everybody jumped on the portal. And then Coach Odom came in, and he got seven guys quickly, and some European cats as well. Right now they’re 15th-ranked in the country.”

The Buckeyes will host Wisconsin for their next game at Value City Arena on Tuesday.