The changing landscape of college athletics is far-reaching in its effects. Realignment is one facet that has been extremely visible so far, with teams leaving their longtime conference affiliations in order to compete against the country's best in the SEC and Big 10.
However, there is far more at play here, usually in a more behind-the-scenes capacity. When NIL earnings were legitimized, for example, the effects weren't immediate: the news story broke, eyebrows were raised, but it took a while before we began to see things like transfers for better pay packages.
As the NCAA has seen its power diminish gradually over the past few years, losing several court cases in that time, regulation has become an unmitigated disaster. There is no direction with the broader leadership of collegiate sports as things stand, which has led to calls for a stronger figure at the head of whatever enforcement body may arise. According to Pete Thamel, that may be just what is coming down the pike.
CEO role expected to come to collegiate sports once house settlement decision is made
According to a new report by Thamel, the process of hiring a CEO for the new enforcement arm of collegiate athletics, the 'Collegiate Sports Commission,' is already pretty far along.
The House settlement would trigger a flurry of moves as college sports remakes itself. That includes a new CEO who sources say will make "final factual findings and determinations" in enforcement. A look at a key looming change post-settlement. https://t.co/KvmZXxeCGj
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) May 20, 2025
The power would be granted to this enforcement body by agreement from the schools, which conferences are looking to garner by way of contracts now being drafted. If these contracts are not signed by member schools, the conferences could threaten to drop these schools.
That may be easier said than done, however. Andy Staples of On3 is skeptical that this will be an easy process.
I talked to Tennessee AD Danny White about the state law and what it means going forward.
— Andy Staples (@Andy_Staples) May 20, 2025
Column coming shortly.
Let's just say that I doubt certain schools and states will capitulate as easily as the conferences are hoping. https://t.co/FxXq2ndgVC
Unity is needed, but obtaining unity means some parties giving up certain competitive advantages that have manifested as part and parcel of the lack of unity that has come thus far— and that is not going to be something lightly relinquished.
There's going to be some rocky terrain ahead, for sure. It will be extremely interesting to see what twist this story takes next.