Autonomy is the big buzz word in college football these days, it seems. It will also be one of the big subjects discussed next week when the SEC holds its annual spring meetings.
“Our presidents and chancellors have unanimously supported this effort to create autonomy in these areas that are related to student-athletes, so I anticipate that we will continue to support it,” SEC commissioner Mike Slive told the Associated Press, according to The Tennessean. “And I do anticipate that we will also want to see that the proposed model is modified so that that autonomy really means autonomy, that the five conferences can determine how their own legislative process will work.”
Just this week the Pac-12 called on the rest of the power conferences to get on board with reform measures that would help pave the way for autonomy in division in college football. Boise State president Bob Kustra took aim at those motives. Slive says the subject is not just about what is best for the SEC, ACC, Big 12, Big Ten and Pac-12, but what is best for the collective member institutions within those conferences. A proposal related to autonomy is expected to be put to a vote of the NCAA’s board of directors in late August. That vote would need a two-thirds majority from those 65 schools in order to move to the next stage.
“This isn’t about five commissioners; this is about 65 institutions and their presidents,” Slive said. “I’m optimistic that these changes will occur and that we will be able to fully support the model going forward.”
Helmet sticker to Saturday Down South.