Penn State Football Has Big Ten Bowl Revenues Restored

The Big Ten announced Thursday that it will restore Penn State's share of the conference bowl revenues.

The Nittany Lions' share was divided among the rest of the conference in 2014 and 2013 as part of the Big Ten's sanctions for the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal. The university donated its share to child-abuse prevention efforts in 2012.

Penn State president Eric Barron issued the following statement:

"

We are grateful to the Big Ten and the Council of Presidents and Chancellors for their decision to restore Penn State's share of the Conference bowl revenues to the University in the upcoming football season. These funds will help to support our 31 teams and more than 850 student-athletes.

While we are pleased with the decision, we will not waver in our commitment to prevent child abuse.

"

The NCAA lifted Penn State's bowl ban in the middle of last season. The Nittany Lions went 7-5, advanced to the New Era Pinstripe Bowl against Boston College and won in double overtime, 31-30.

Despite their participation in 2014-15, however, they will not see any revenue until 2015-16. Only one year (next year) has been lifted from the original four-year sanctions.

Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

Still, Penn State stands to make a significant amount of money next cycle. Per John Taylor of College Football Talk, the loss of revenue sharing cost PSU roughly $10 million the past three seasons—$5 million in 2012 and 2013 combined and $5 million in 2014 alone.

The announcement comes less than a month after the NCAA restored 111 wins for Joe Paterno, making the late former Penn State head coach the winningest coach in FBS history—a title he had held until those wins were originally vacated in the Sandusky sanctions.

Between Thursday's decision, the revocation of the bowl ban and the full reallotting of scholarships, Penn State is on its way to overcoming the historic sanctions and restoring its proud on-field tradition.

Having money helps a lot.