The NCAA BOA today agree to vote on Mike Slive (SEC's Comish) motion to give the "Big 5 Conferences automony" to govern themselves in August.
Meeting in Indianapolis, the board of directors endorsed a restructuring of the Division I legislative system in an attempt to streamline its processes. They also endorsed the general idea of providing increased autonomy to the 65 schools in the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC, providing the power conferences – referred to in the draft proposal as the “Big Five†– the ability to provide athletes with unprecedented benefits and resources.
Allowing the Big Five conferences to govern themselves in those areas is a step to address the concerns of the big schools, which have boiled down to several key talking points for Slive at Monday's annual address to the Associated Press Sports Editors' Southeast Regional meeting.
Now the question: Is this the first logical step in the "Big 5" conferences completely breaking away from the NCAA and forming their own super conference (65 teams) in order to govern themselves?
Meeting in Indianapolis, the board of directors endorsed a restructuring of the Division I legislative system in an attempt to streamline its processes. They also endorsed the general idea of providing increased autonomy to the 65 schools in the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC, providing the power conferences – referred to in the draft proposal as the “Big Five†– the ability to provide athletes with unprecedented benefits and resources.
Allowing the Big Five conferences to govern themselves in those areas is a step to address the concerns of the big schools, which have boiled down to several key talking points for Slive at Monday's annual address to the Associated Press Sports Editors' Southeast Regional meeting.
- "Ensuring our student-athletes are covered for the full cost of attendance" - In essence, raising the scholarships paid to athletes to cover not only the costs of education, but also all living expenses.
- "Creating more opportunities for student-athletes to finish their degrees if interrupted, cost-free" - Essentially, extending scholarships beyond athletic competition.
- "Readdressing the time commitment" - Limiting the hours an athlete can spend on their sport.
- "Fulfilling healthy, safety and nutrition needs" - Providing increased resources for student-athletes, such as the recent rule passed that allows schools to provide unlimited meals to athletes.
- "Updating rules for agents and advisors to help better assist athletes to prepare for the transition from college to professional, not only in sports" - Changing agent rules to meet with athletes earlier. For example, Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs has been vocal about wanting to be able to provide supervised meetings for agents and players on campus.
- "Giving student-athletes a voice and vote in NCAA decisions"
Now the question: Is this the first logical step in the "Big 5" conferences completely breaking away from the NCAA and forming their own super conference (65 teams) in order to govern themselves?
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