(2-26-21) The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) has 815 member high schools. The association has faced a year long pandemic that has seen a financial hit to the future budgets that could impact the association for years to come.

At the February 18th Board of Directors meeting a discussion was started on future membership dues, something the schools have not faced in past years.

The information below was a part of a members update of that meeting –

The Ohio High School Athletic Association Board of Directors met Thursday and received a number of updates from the OHSAA staff, including winter and spring state tournament venues, and had an initial discussion regarding charging school membership dues beginning with the 2021-22 school year. Details and discussion meetings regarding membership dues will be communicated with member schools in March.

From the minutes from that meeting (2-18-21)

For member schools this would be another financial burden on the local athletic department and the school district budgets,

Schools have been impacted by State budget cuts this past year by Governor DeWine, lack of financial reimbursement for tournament games from the OHSAA…plus additional costs of competing in tournaments and picking up certain costs previously paid for by the association. Throw in the COVID 19 measures required by schools…the impact continues to grow.

One main source of income schools lostduring the impact came from ticket sales due to the Governor’s orders on fans allowed to attend games, the biggest being football and basketball contests.

Several questions that could be answered in March…will the Board approve dues for the future or will member schools be allowed to have input and to vote on any action?

What if dues are –

  • $2,000 x 815 member schools = $1,630,00
  • $1,500 x 815 member schools =$1,222,500
  • $1,000 x 815 member schools = $815,000
  • $500 x 815 member schools =$407,500

OHSAA financial information from January 14th Board Meeting –

Governor DeWine has not offered to help the OHSAA during this financial impact.

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