A national survey of university presidents, athletics directors and campus athletics leaders told us something you intuitively already knew — the future of Division I college sports is in deep yogurt.
The findings, released Thursday by the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics and the Elon University Poll, tell us that 75 percent of those leaders say the system is “under severe strain” with the majority of leaders expressing negative views about the direction of Division I.
Why is this new survey newsworthy?
The survey quantifies the obvious at a time when federal lawmakers are debating legislation that would memorialize sweeping changes for Division I athletics.
The survey shows the campus leaders support federal action, by large margins, to create standards for NIL compensation and the classification of college athletes as employees.
"It's a new era in college sports," said Amy Privette Perko, Knight Commission CEO. "And the candid views of Division I leaders suggest this new era could be a troubling one that could harm women's and collegiate Olympic sports. These findings should help inform Congress as it works to build a new model for Division I sports."
The survey of 376 university presidents and chancellors, athletics directors, senior women’s administrators and faculty reps revealed deep concern about the financial sustainability of their athletics programs, college athlete transfer rules and unprecedented changes that will harm women's and collegiate Olympic sports.
There was also a near-unanimous commitment to the academic mission of college sports, maintaining academic standards and prioritizing graduation.
"This survey presents a clear picture of a defining moment for Division I college sports," said Len Elmore, Knight Commission co-chair. "Navigating the path forward will require difficult decisions about finances, governance and the core identity of college athletics."
Key findings: Policies on athlete transfer, NIL compensation and seasons of competition
Impact of the transfer portal on Division I
86% Negative
8% Positive
7% Neither positive nor negative
Allowing athletes to transfer between schools as often as they choose with immediate eligibility to compete and no penalty
84% Oppose
11% Support
4% Neither support nor oppose
Enforcing strong penalties for tampering with athletes or providing recruiting inducements before the transfer portal opens
94% Support
3% Oppose
Important to limit athletes to four full seasons of eligibility
77% of all DI leaders agree
90% of presidents/chancellors agree
69% of athletics directors agree
Impact of name, image and likeness (NIL) compensation for athletes on Division I
50% Negative
36% Positive
14% Neither positive nor negative
Impact of collegiate Olympic sports
93% Important for universities to offer sports other than those tied to generating revenues
92% Collegiate Olympic sports are important to the success of Team USA
82% Favor federal tax or fees on sports gambling operators to support collegiate Olympic sports programs
73% Favor federal funds to support collegiate Olympic sports programs
Impact of the House settlement on the overall experience of Division I athletes in these sports:
Athletics directors responses:
FBS football: 75% POSITIVE, 15% negative
Men’s basketball: 63% POSITIVE, 25% negative
Women’s basketball: 50% POSITIVE, 33% negative
Non-FBS football: 25% positive, 49% NEGATIVE
All other women’s sports: 7% positive, 72% NEGATIVE
All other men’s sports: 5% positive, 73% NEGATIVE
How have colleges and universities done in providing female athletes with equitable opportunities, financial assistance and treatment?
44% Been about right
43% Have not gone far enough
6% Gone too far
8% Unsure
Will female athletes be in a worse or better situation with institution-provided NIL and revenue-sharing and greater scholarships?
55% Worse
25% Better
20% About the same
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