College Athletics Trustees Grapple with Financial Challenges and Proposed Federal Legislation
University trustees are struggling to keep pace with the rapidly changing landscape of college athletics, with only 32 percent understanding their fiduciary duties in this area, according to a survey by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB). A recent AGB conference addressed these challenges, including financial issues and proposed legislation. A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report revealed that 94 percent of Division I and all Division II athletic programs lost money in the 2023–24 academic year, with students heavily subsidizing these losses through tuition and fees. The Protect College Sports Act, which passed the Senate but awaits a House vote, aims to set federal guidelines for player eligibility, compensation, and grant antitrust protections to the NCAA, but faces hurdles in the House.
