The Future of College Athletics

[Bobby Burton]

I sat down with the president of Lead1 Association Tom McMillen.

McMillen’s group encompasses the top 130 football programs in the country, not all of the NCAA.

I got his thoughts on where college sports is actually headed.

 

 

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[agentmule]

thanks, Bobby. that was cool. at first glance, I thought the thumbnail was Cactus Pryor, which would have been a neat trick!

[David Edwards]

Great interview.  Sorry I didn't get to see it live. I read a piece this morning about Michigan offering over1.5 million to a player to leave and play elsewhere! I was amazed. I have wanted a contract that makes players play the whole season. I think these contracts need to work to protect players too. Fans too... I guess that would be dreaming!

 

[Robert Gilbert]

Great interview. I have often wondered if college athletics would be better served by a NCAA that is divided by division. For example, one arm of the NCAA would cover Division III, one would cover Division II, etc. The issues and problems that affect Mary-Harding Baylor (Division III) greatly differ than those affecting UT. It could also be divided by gender. For example Division II may allow transgenders to participate in women’s sports but Division III does not. 
In addition, there could be a super conference of the top 48-64 teams made up of SEC, Big 10, ACC, etc. that would apply only to football. It would also have different rules like national signing day, NIL, etc. 

I realize it does seem farfetched and highly unlikely to come fruition. Just thinking out loud. 

[Bobby Burton]

The problem even McMillen acknowledges is that there are major differences between some of the schools he lobbies for. For instance, the difference between Texas and Old Dominion is fairly significant. 

[Glass Joe]

Sidenote on some NBA history: Tom McMillen played on the 1972 U.S. Olympic team that was robbed by the Societs for the gold.  He was then a first round pick of the Buffalo Braves (NBA team).  The Buffalo Braves moved to San Diego and became the Clippers, and Tom McMillen was traded away to make room for Bill Walton.  Eventually, the Clippers moved to LA.

[BurntOrangeCrush]

Great interview, thanks Bobby

[Grayhorn]

Great content! These are interesting times to be a college fane. I’m happy for the players, and I just look on in amazement/horror at theamount of money we are willing to pour into college athletics. 

[TexShoe]

Hey, that guy played for the Bullets