Gasoline prices have skyrocketed almost 50%, and crude oil prices have risen to over $100 per barrel since the conflict in Iran began in February. 

For key Beaver programs operating independent of a conference, like baseball, team travel constitutes a large part of the expenditure to play competitive schools across the country. 

Away game trips require chartered flights or bus travel, both of which have seen costs surge due to increased gas and oil prices. 

In the spring athletic season in 2025, Oregon State softball took at least five flights and Beaver baseball spent the majority of their season on the road. 

Oregon State partnered with Short’s Travel Management (STM) to streamline athletic travel in July 2025. 

“Rising fuel prices have had a noticeable impact on the cost of athletic travel,” President of Charter Bus at STM Nick Gyllin said. “For college athletic programs, this has led to higher per-trip costs and added pressure on already significant travel budgets.”

According to the Knight-Newhouse College Athletics Database, 13% of Oregon State athletic expenditure came from “Game Expenses and Travel” in 2024. Out of a total expenditure of $112.88 million, $13.79 million was spent on this category. 

“(Oil and gas price) increases at the federal level tend to flow through quickly in the form of higher ticket prices,” Gyllin added. 

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), jet fuel prices are the highest operating cost for airlines, making up 28.7% of their total expenditure in 2022. 

Jet fuel prices surged up to more than $2 a gallon in April. In response, airlines have increased airfare prices in order to offset the rising cost of inputs. 

STM is implementing several strategies to combat rising costs and stay within budget outputs. 

“Leveraging our scale to negotiate better rates with airlines and transportation providers, identifying the most cost-effective travel options, and helping athletic departments make informed decisions about when to fly versus use ground transportation…reduce(s) the impact of price volatility,” Gyllin said.