Well, that certainly didn’t take long.
Early this morning, we noted that the $2,000 stipend for athletes was in jeopardy of being overturned because of an override that was, at the time signed by nearly 100 schools. For the legislation, which passed in October, to be suspended until the NCAA meets in January for a convention, the override would need the endorsement of 125 schools.
Today, the NCAA got that number and the legislation has been put on hold until the Jan. 14 meeting. At that point, the NCAA can keep the suspension in place until an override vote occurs, eliminate the rule, or alter the proposal to address the concerns of those who signed the override. From the NCAA’s release:The reasons the schools cited fell into four areas: how quickly it was implemented, perceived impact on competitive equity*, application of the allowance for student-athletes in equivalency sports, and implications for Title IX.
“Based on conversations I have had, I am confident that there remains a very high level of support for this permissive legislation to provide better support for our student athletes,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said.
“I am also confident that we can develop implementation changes that will address most of the concerns raised by many of our campus leaders. It is absolutely critical that we implement this legislation, for example, in a way that supports Title IX and women’s athletic programs. Modification of the legislation language can certainly achieve this essential requirement. Similarly, changes can be made that will clarify how this legislation can be implemented more smoothly and with less confusion.”
(*note: can we cut the crap with the equality lament? Maybe we can put limits on how much money programs spend on facilities, or assistant coaches with NFL track records, too?)
Outside of Title IX concerns, there aren’t any legitimate reasons for a school, especially one that doesn’t sponsor football, to have any say in what conferences like the SEC or the Big Ten do with their money.
Heck, the NCAA can have a huge part in it.
And, speaking of finances, guess who just inked a $500 million, exclusive multimedia rights extension with ESPN for the next 11 years?
That’s just slow-clap worthy, folks.