Why Is NCAA Proposing For Subdivision? Explained

In a letter to Division I members on Tuesday, NCAA President Charlie Baker suggested the establishment of a new competitive subdivision in which institutions would have to pay their athletes far more than the association’s existing regulations permit.

Why Is the NCAA Proposing For Subdivision? Explained

Schools in this new category would have to “invest at least $30,000 per year into an enhanced educational trust fund for at least half of the institution’s eligible student-athletes” in accordance with Baker’s plan, which would fall “within the framework” of Title IX, the federal gender equity statute.

Half of the funds allotted would have to go to female athletes in accordance with Title IX regulations, which would apply to any money disbursed by the institution. To increase pay, schools might then negotiate additional NIL arrangements on top of the base remuneration that is provided through a trust.

At the top level, several athletic departments want to field more than 400 scholarship players in more than 20 sports. It would take $6 million a year to pay half of those athletes the base salary of $30,000. This is a significant financial commitment to sports. That sum is on top of what scholarships cost.

The new subdivision would differ significantly from the existing one in that its members would have the ability to negotiate NIL deals with their own athletes.

“It kick-starts a long-overdue conversation among the membership that focuses on the differences that exist between schools, conferences and divisions and how to create more permissive and flexible rules across the NCAA that put student-athletes first,” Baker writes in the letter. “Colleges and universities need to be more flexible, and the NCAA needs to be more flexible, too.”

The suggestion was made little over nine months after Baker took office as president of the NCAA, taking over the organization at a period of significant turmoil in college athletics. Apart from the numerous court cases over athlete remuneration, the organization has been confronted with increasing dissatisfaction among the universities that incur the highest costs and earnings.

Concerns have been raised regarding the financial and competitive implications of this, though, for the larger Division I membership of the NCAA, especially in light of the recent changes to Division I rules that permit athletes to earn money from the NIL and to transfer schools once without having to wait a year.

Following the publication, a number of athletic directors publicly endorsed Baker’s proposal. Trev Alberts, athletic director of Nebraska, referred to the proposal as a “significant advancement.” One of the leading figures in the sport, Gene Smith, the athletic director at Ohio State, posted a supportive message on Twitter.

With almost 1,000 athletes, the Buckeyes have one of the largest athletic departments in the country. Ohio State University would have to pay at least $15 million a year for the planned scheme. OSU Athletics brought nearly $250 million in revenue in 2022.

Additionally, schools in the new subdivision would have independence on matters pertaining to countable coaches and scholarship caps.

For the majority of sports, programs in both Division I subdivisions would face off for NCAA titles; FBS football will not be included in this competition. All of that will continue to exist under the framework of the College Football Playoff.

The goal of this initiative is to spark a meaningful discussion about one of the most divisive issues in college athletics—major changes. However, it will be an extremely expensive purchase for sports departments.

How to get NCAA Division 1?

NCAA Division 1 eligibility requirements
  1. English: 4 years.
  2. Math (Algebra 1 or higher): 3 years.
  3. Natural/Physical Science (Including 1 year of lab, if offered): 2 years.
  4. Social Science: 2 years.
  5. Additional Courses. English, Math or Science: 1 year.

What is difference between FCS and FBS?

Why Do FCS and FBS Differ From One Another? Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) differ primarily in the amount of scholarships available to participating institutions. FBS teams are limited to 85 total scholarship players, whilst FCS programs are limited to 63 scholarships.

 

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