SEC and Big Ten athletic directors will further discuss key issues related to college sports at a meeting Feb. 19 in New Orleans. Yahoo Sports’ » reported Ross Dellenger. Topics include College Football Playoffs format, NCAA governance and preparations for the Home vs. NCAA regulation.
The February meeting will be the second time athletic directors from both conferences have met to discuss issues related to college athletics. They had already met in October in Nashville.
That meeting, however, will take place a week before the College Football Playoff commissioners meet in Dallas to continue their discussions this week. Governance format and structure should be part of these conversations, and On3 Pete Nakos detailed what people around the sport are saying about the current situation.
One potential idea is a 14-team CFP bracket, Dellenger reported. It would feature four automatic bids each for the Big Ten and SEC; two bids each for the Big 12 and ACC; one for the Group of 5; and one in general, which would probably be for one or the other Notre Dame or the next highest ranked team outside of automatic bidding.
Major changes likely won’t happen next season because the College Football Playoff is still under contract. However, with the deal set to expire in 2026, that could be when things start to change.
Beyond the College Football Playoff, Home vs. NCAA the rules remain the most important subject in college sports. The settlement, if fully approved in April, would usher in the era of revenue sharing as schools prepare to share up to $20.5 million directly with athletes.
There are obstacles, however. The Department of Education said last week that revenue sharing payments must follow Title IX guidelines. However, this guidance could be changed or rescinded by the president Donald Trump after his inauguration on Monday.
There are questions about the application. Yahoo Sports previously reported a document showing a proposal that would give more control to Power Conferences and overhaul the NCAA’s governance model. Dellenger said it will likely be discussed at next month’s meeting between the SEC and Big Ten. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey confirmed that the document exists and reiterated its desire for change.
“There have been seven to eight months of discussions about the NCAA governance decision-making process,” Sankey told Dellenger. “We have the responsibility to develop an idea. We broadcast it at our conferences. We informed the president of the NCAA. This is an important time for change. We believe it is important to provoke thought.
