SoCon Commissioner Releases Comprehensive Review of NCAA Division I Governance Proposal
The Southern Conference has submitted a detailed assessment of the NCAA's proposed Division I governance restructuring to the NCAA working group following their request for member feedback. Commissioner Michael Cross is sharing this document publicly to foster dialogue among conference leaders, athletic directors, and university presidents as the reform process moves forward.
"While the NCAA's governance reform proposal represents a meaningful first step, it requires significant modifications to achieve its stated goals of creating a flexible, adaptable, and legally defensible structure," said Commissioner Michael Cross. "This first draft shows appropriate seriousness and thoughtfulness, but we need bolder action that truly decentralizes decision-making. By pushing eligibility, financial aid, and other key regulatory areas to conferences, we can better protect the NCAA from ongoing legal challenges while serving the diverse needs of all Division I institutions."
The SoCon's assessment highlights several positive elements in the proposal, including streamlined committee structures and protected championship access. However, it identifies critical concerns including:
Concentration of voting power without examining related financial liability
Continued legal vulnerability through national eligibility and financial aid standards
Representation imbalances affecting non-Autonomy conferences
Insufficient decentralization despite stated goals
"With limited information available and the process moving rapidly, we felt it crucial to share our analysis publicly," added Commissioner Cross. "All Division I institutions deserve a governance model that provides genuine regulatory freedom while maintaining the core values of college athletics. Time is short for meaningful deliberation, and transparent dialogue is essential."
The full assessment is available here and outlines specific recommendations to meet the stated goals that Division I governance be flexible, adaptable, defensible, accessible, and straightforward.