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The Crosstown Shootout may be won by the highest bidder | Opinion
TL;DR
Cincinnati's Crosstown Shootout may hinge on financial backing, with Xavier and UC reportedly spending $25 million on basketball talent this season. Both programs have ramped up their budgets to compete effectively in college basketball.
Key points
- Crosstown Shootout may depend on financial backing
- Xavier and UC spending $25 million on basketball talent
- Xavier increased its NIL payroll to compete effectively
- Professional talent acquisition from Europe is a strategy
Mentioned in this story
Cincinnati
XavierUC
Cincinnati sports fans donât usually start talking about the Crosstown Shootout until Thanksgiving. However, today, we already know something important: now that both Xavier and UC have finished constructing their rosters through the transfer portal, the winner may be the school that spent the most money.
Between them, the two programs will reportedly spend $25 million on basketball talent this season.
More: Xavier basketball has tripled budget for 2026-27 roster | Report
The professionalization of college hoops
Xavier tried to compete in the Big East with a $5 million to $6 million roster and discovered that it was undercapitalized for the modern marketplace. The university increased its NIL payroll into the low to mid-teens and began acquiring professional talent from Europe.
They signed RubĂ©n DomĂnguez, a 24-year-old seasoned professional with MVP honors in international European competition. Heâs not a recruit. Heâs an acquisition â a fully formed professional player who will now wear a Xavier jersey. This is what the market rewards now: age, experience, and immediate production, not long-term potential.
UC took a different approach. After firing Wes Miller, the university hired Jerrod Calhoun as a turnaround specialist and reportedly backed him with a NIL budget exceeding $10 million. UC rebuilt its roster with veteran players capable of surviving the week-to-week grind of the Big 12.
Cincinnati head coach Jerrod Calhoun walks into the arena to cheers during a press conference announcing him as the head men's basketball coach at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
Q&A
How much are Xavier and UC spending on basketball talent this season?
Xavier and UC are reportedly spending a combined total of $25 million on basketball talent this season.
What changes did Xavier make to its basketball budget?
Xavier increased its NIL payroll from $5 million to the low to mid-teens to better compete in the Big East.
Why is the Crosstown Shootout significant for Cincinnati sports fans?
The Crosstown Shootout is a major rivalry game that typically garners significant attention from Cincinnati sports fans, especially as the teams finalize their rosters.
How has the transfer portal impacted college basketball spending?
The transfer portal has led to increased spending in college basketball, as programs like Xavier and UC seek to acquire top talent to remain competitive.
