The Athletic’s estimated 2026 roster budgets place Penn State at roughly $29–32 million—seventh in the Big Ten and well behind Ohio State and Oregon. But does that number reveal a long-term resource problem, or did Matt Campbell build his first Penn State roster at an unusual discount through relationships and the massive Iowa State migration?Zach Seyko explains why 2027 will be the real test of Penn State’s financial commitment. He also breaks down how the Protect College Sports Act could affect the Nittany Lions through revenue-sharing rules, transfer restrictions, NIL enforcement, athlete protections and a possible national media-rights structure. Some provisions could help Penn State compete today while limiting the program’s future financial advantage.Is Penn State spending enough to pursue a national championship?Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectBecome an every-dayer! Subscribe to Locked On Nittany Lions on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lockedonnittanylions?sub\_confirmation=1Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!KALSHIFor a limited time, Download Kalshi and use code Locked On to get $25 when you trade $25. Kalshi. Trade what’s next.SupplyHouseVisit https://SupplyHouse.com/TM to learn more about becoming a Trade Master. Use promo code S H 5 College for five percent off your first order. SupplyHouse. Real people. Real service.Omaha SteaksShop proteins you can trust at https://www.Omaha Steaks.com. And right now, get 2 pounds of premium ground beef FREE with orders over $129 using code COLLEGE at checkout. Terms apply. See site for details.Aura CybersecurityStart your free trial today at https://aura.com/aware. Protect yourself now.WayfairTransform your space with pieces that hold up to real life. Join Wayfair Rewards today and get five percent back on every purchase. Head to https://Wayfair.com or shop the Wayfair app for all things home. Every style. Every home.IndeedListeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.SquareGet up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/COLLEGE ! #squarepodLARINECOGive Larine a try. Right now, Larine Co is offering our listeners up to 50% off at https://BUYLARINE.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE.5-Hour ENERGYBring on the sweetness with Cotton Candy 5-hour ENERGY®️ shots—available online now at https:/5hourENERGY.com or on Amazon.GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.FanDuelMake this Your Most Rewarding Season Ever with FanDuel. Get $350 in Bonus Bets — GUARANTEED — when you bet five dollars every day for seven days. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMFANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LONittanyLions?sid=YouTubeLocked On College Conferences, HBCU, Basketball & More🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnCollegeFollow the show on X!https://x.com/LockedOnNittanyhttps://x.com/zach\_seyko#lockedonnittanylions #pennstate #nittanylions #pennstatefootball #collegefootball #bigtenfootball #ncaafootball #lockedon #weare #football00:00 Intro01:00 Penn State’s roster-budget gap04:04 Why the 2026 rebuild needs context06:36 The real financial test begins in 202710:50 How federal guardrails could help Penn State13:56 Transfers, tampering and Campbell’s roster model16:24 How the same rules could limit Penn State19:10 What the College Sports Act would change23:25 Athlete protections vs. player leverage26:40 Media-rights pooling, realignment and the current system30:06 The biggest unanswered governance question Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.