The Governance Challenge in College Athletics

This federal policy overview examines congressional activity and proposed legislation shaping the future of college athletics. Trustees, presidents, and chancellors will explore key policy developments, assess their potential institutional impact, and consider the governance questions boards and senior leaders must address as the federal landscape continues to evolve.

College athletics can advance institutional mission, strengthen community, and support student success—but only when governing boards provide focused, informed oversight. How can trustees ensure athletics programs align with institutional values, academic priorities, financial strategy, and long-term goals? Participants will explore the governance questions boards should ask, the risks of mission drift, and the need to balance competitive ambitions with fiduciary responsibility.

The business model for major college athletics is broken. Rising costs, revenue sharing, facilities demands, legal exposure, and competitive escalation are straining institutional budgets. Boards must weigh competing priorities, assess financial and reputational risks, and determine what level of investment is sustainable. This session will examine the forces driving athletics spending and the governance decisions needed to protect institutional mission and long-term financial health.

The economics of college athletics demand new approaches to revenue, investment, cost management, and institutional support. This session will examine how boards can evaluate alternative business and financing models that reduce financial vulnerability while preserving mission, competitive opportunity, and student-athlete well-being. Participants will explore strategic partnerships, shared services, new revenue structures, capital priorities, and other options for building a more sustainable athletics enterprise.

Multimedia and sports broadcast rights shape the financial future, visibility, and competitive position of college athletics. This session will help boards understand the rapidly evolving media landscape and its implications for conference affiliation, revenue projections, contractual commitments, brand strategy, and institutional risk. Participants will explore the questions trustees should ask to evaluate media partnerships, anticipate market shifts, and ensure that short-term revenue opportunities support long-term institutional and athletics priorities.

Name, image, and likeness (NIL); revenue sharing; and the growing influence of sports agents are reshaping the student-athlete experience and institutional responsibilities. This session will help boards understand the financial, legal, compliance, and governance implications of this evolving landscape. Participants will explore the questions trustees should ask to protect student-athletes, manage institutional risk, promote transparency, and ensure that compensation and representation practices remain aligned with mission and long-term athletics strategy.

The growth of sports gambling presents significant governance risks related to student well-being, institutional integrity, compliance, and reputation. Boards must ensure that appropriate policies, controls, education, and support systems are in place to protect students and student-athletes. This session will examine the questions trustees should ask and the oversight responsibilities necessary to strengthen accountability, manage risk, and safeguard the institution’s mission.