NCAA will be done in 5 years.

then they should quit school and turn pro

College football delivered its highest ever TV ratings in 2024.

I think college football is going to prosper and TV companies like ESPN will make sure it does by hook or crook.

I wonder about minor sports like track.

Just as spectators decide which performances to accept or not accept, the athletes decide who the real governing body is.

Want to swap out the NCAA? Well, collective action and social media together is one powerful drug for change.

The NCAA is going to be in power indefinitely because that's what will be legislated. It's a recognizable brand name that is worth more than the combined net worth of this board. The NCAA does exactly what it's supposed to

Listened to a podcast on this very topic today.

the only think keeping the ncaa from imploding right now is BigEast basketball. They don’t play football and without these schools a full break can’t be made yet anyway due to the basketball tournament revenue.

a bit dramatic but very interesting

Yes and no.

Yes, because after the big schools leave, the NCAA will still have power over most schools and most of college athletics. But if the big fball schools just make their own league they wont need the ncaa.

The biggest issues with the NCAA is its inability to differentiate between a guy playing football at Bama, and the 5th girl on varsity at PoDunk U. The rules should not be the same.

This was my experience as well. My Power 5 school also won a basketball title during my tenure and the next week the entire team could be seen driving brand new luxury cars.

The NCAA has become what the AAU used to be. The insistence on amateurism for amateurism’s sake is ridiculous. The NCAA has refused to change at every juncture, and its threats of retribution have only further enflamed an already roaring bonfire. Its stubbornness will be its ultimate downfall. Good riddance!

Yes. Back when Track athletes had to pretend to be amateurs in order to compete in the Olympics, but everyone knew they were being paid under the table by shoe companies and road race RDs. The term that was used was Shamateurism.

The market always finds itself, and it's usually best to let the market decide.

Big East basketball won't stop anyone. In the old days there were 2 tournaments NCAA and NIT. ( NIT was still independent not managed by NCAA for lower teams as now)

There will be a 64 team Power 4 tournament and a 64 team NCAA tournament for the schools left there.

Both tournaments will get TV contracts, both tournaments will be fun. The big stars will however all go to the Power 4 tournament, as that's where the money, cars and girls will be. Also pay attention to 2024 NCAA tourney; about 40 of 64 teams already are Power 4.

I’m fine with players on the revenue earning teams making the money and Olympic sports like T&F not. If there is no market for what you do then you don’t get paid.

just like women’s professional sports not being valued results in much lower salaries

I think this is right. The idea that you can't leave some basketball powers out of the biggest tournament will be a non-issue because those schools won't be national powers any more. They won't get the top players anymore.

Sure, there are brand names like Gonzaga and Georgetown, but we've see how fast people stop caring about or respecting those teams if they can't compete (again, I'd cite Georgetown).