Report: Document reveals proposal to restore NCAA governance, give power conferences more control

On January 10, 2025By Littum

Power conferences seek more control and form a proposal for resumption NCAA governance, according to a document obtained by Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger. It would give more authority to the leagues over key responsibilities such as rulemaking and postseason events.

The proposal – considered a “working document” that does not have full approval – would allow Autonomous 4 to manage postseason championships. That is currently the responsibility of the NCAA. The document would also create a subdivision under the NCAA’s purview equivalent to the president Charlie Baker’s proposed Project DI level.

In addition to post-season control, according to the document, conferences will also gain authority over other key issues such as revenue distribution and selection committees. But, Dellenger reported, that doesn’t indicate a true breakout from the NCAA.

A proposal by power conferences stands to restore NCAA governance and shift control of championships, according to documents obtained by @YahooSports.

SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 & ACC seek expansion of A4 powers to include management of NCAA postseason events.https://t.co/lXouQlg5g1

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) 8 January 2025

The SECs Greg Sankey and other Powers Conference commissioners confirmed the existence of the document. Sankey also said they told Baker about it, noting the need for change as the landscape shifts House v. NCAA settlement pending final approval.

“There have been seven to eight months of discussions about the NCAA’s governing decision-making process,” Sankey told Dellenger. “We have a responsibility to develop an idea. We have circulated this with our conferences. We’ve let the NCAA president know. This is an important time for change. We think it is important to provoke thought.”

How March Madness fits into the proposition

At the center of the discussion surrounding postseason tournaments would be both the men’s and women’s March Madness. These events are perhaps the biggest in the NCAA, with the men bringing in upwards of $1 billion in revenue, and the women’s tournament exploding in popularity last season with record television ratings.

Currently, all 32 conferences get a representative in the NCAA Tournament. The commissioners made it clear that the spirit of the tournament is important and the ACCs Jim Phillips told Yahoo Sports that he is “firm” that every league should have access to the “national treasure.”

In a statement to Yahoo! SportBig 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark said the goal is not to drastically change March Madness. Instead, he said the goal would be to “adjust” it given the current state of the landscape.

“We have no desire to compromise what makes college athletics so special, but instead want to make the necessary adjustments to reflect where the industry is headed,” Yormark said.

NCAA governance has been a point of contention ever since House v. NCAA settlement came together, which would signal the revenue-sharing era in college athletics if it receives final approval in April. The House settlement also keeps the power conferences and the NCAA together through 2035, meaning any vote to potentially withdraw — if there is no agreement — could be a problem.