People throwing around the "ready" moniker as if there isn't a clear definition of what the FBS requirements should read up on this issue. Here are the latest FBS requirements as of
October 2023:
Division I membership requirements
The council also adopted changes to membership requirements for Football Bowl Subdivision schools that:
- Eliminate attendance requirements at FBS schools (effective immediately).
- Increase the application fee for transitioning from FCS to FBS from $5,000 to $5 million (effective immediately).
- For schools that begin transitioning to FBS in 2024-25 or later, requirements must be met by the conclusion of the transition process.
To add onto the 16 sports requirement by the NCAA, a minimum of 6 men's teams and 8 women's teams are needed towards the 16 total.
The eye test (facilities, TV markets, fan base support, on field success, etc) folks claim to assess a "readiness" are great for internet banter, but the reality is a move from FCS to FBS is now a heavier financial lift for universities. Investing in new programs from scratch is no small feat and only compiles the difficulty. Note that the new spending requirements are for scholarship spending only and does not include operational costs such as coaching and other staffing needs, facilities and their operational expenses, equipment, travel, gameday expenses, etc. All of that snowballs when you consider adding programs to make the move to FBS.
We're already supporting more than the minimum amount of programs needed (9 men, 12 women) to hit the FBS requirements. Our biggest hurdle will be balancing the Title 9 requirements, which would involve a new women's program if men's programs aren't cut. Sac State has an enrollment of over 30k and a President that is about to enact higher student fees to support athletics and facilities, we'll be ready for a move to FBS if an opportunity becomes available to us.