Navigating the Changing Landscape of NCAA Division I Athletics: A Look at Legal and Regulatory Challenges in 2024
The NCAA is once again facing a period of transition at the Division I level, as outside entities challenge the traditional collegiate sports model and regulatory system. The debate over the economic relationship between college athletes and their schools has been reignited following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Alston v. NCAA.
Legal and social pressures, combined with the monetization of live sports content, have put significant strains on the NCAA’s current collegiate model. The 2024 NCAA Compliance Report highlights the complex regulatory and legal landscape that colleges and universities are navigating in order to maintain competitiveness.
Key pieces of litigation, Title IX gender equity, conference realignment, student-athlete safety, name, image, and likeness (NIL), and other issues are driving the conversation in college athletics. The failure to address these issues comprehensively could result in the elimination of the uniquely American collegiate sports model.
Despite the uncertainty facing the NCAA and its member schools, college sports remain incredibly popular. The collegiate sports model in the United States is still admired for its gender equity, competition, educational opportunities, and exposure for young athletes.
As the NCAA and its members navigate these challenges, it is important to develop a strategy to ensure success in 2024 and beyond. The Compliance Report aims to shed light on the key issues driving change in college athletics and prepare leaders for the future.
For more information, you can read Husch Blackwell’s NCAA Compliance Report.