The NCAA Division I Board of Directors on Thursday voted to put in place a measure that will change how schools and conferences will be able to govern themselves in the future.
In a move that’s not shocking to anyone involved, The new governing structure within the organization will allow the Power 5 conferences — ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, SEC and Pac-12 — autonomy.
Those schools will now have the power to put into place rules and regulations that will of course benefit them.
“I am immensely proud of the work done by the membership. The new governance model represents a compromise on all sides that will better serve our members and, most importantly, our student-athletes,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said. “These changes will help all our schools better support the young people who come to college to play sports while earning a degree.”
The vote passed by a 16-2 margin. The Board of Directors has a 60-day veto period to get through before the new rules become official.
“Today’s vote marks a significant step into a brighter future for Division I athletics,” said Nathan Hatch, board chair and Wake Forest University president, who also chaired the steering committee that redesigned the structure. “We hope this decision not only will allow us to focus more intently on the well-being of our student-athletes but also preserve the tradition of Division I as a diverse and inclusive group of schools competing together on college athletics’ biggest stage.”
