The Commissioner of the Big Ten Conference is applauding today’s NCAA ruling that provides autonomy for athletic programs.
Reforms approved by the association’s Board of Directors gives the five biggest conferences, including the Big Ten the ability to make some of their own rules, including increasing the value of scholarships.
Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delaney says the new governance structure will provide improved academic, health and safety initiatives using funds coming from the NCAA basketball tournament and other revenues.
But the head of a smaller school outside the five high-profile conferences says this will allow universities to try and outbid the competition. Boise State University President and former Illinois lieutenant governor Bob Kustra says the decision is about more than big versus small.
“Certain presidents, I understand, and athletic directors, they’re very much concerned that Alabama can outspend Vanderbilt and Mississippi State. And even the University of Illinois, when you put it up against some of the competition they have in the Big Ten. Who knows whether it’s going to be that easy for the University of Illinois to compete as well.”
There’s now a 60-day period in which Division One schools can weigh in on the vote, and if at least 75 schools want to override, the NCAA has to reconsider. And 120 votes against means the reforms will be suspended.