A Knight Commission survey of college leaders at the president, AD and commissioner level showed overwhelmingly that they are ready for major reform in athletics. The survey, taken from June 18-July 14, revealed that nearly 80% of those questioned would like to see big solutions, not incremental changes. Among the chief concerns:
- The growing divide between the collegiate haves and have-nots.
- Schools are spending too much money to "keep up" in football and men's basketball.
- The need to restructure competition at the highest levels of D-I.
- While some responders called for reform in football, especially at the Power 5 level, close to 80% said it's important to keep them together in basketball (Michael Smith, SBJ College).
NUTS & BOLTS: ESPN.com's Heather Dinich noted finances were a "major part" of the survey's data, as 79% of respondents "agreed there is too much financial-resource disparity among schools." Of those surveyed, 59% conceded they "spend too much on FBS football to 'keep up' with other schools -- including half of Power 5 campus leaders, and about two-thirds of their Group of 5 peers." The survey also found "widespread support to contain athletic spending, including conference-level agreements to cap sports' operating budgets -- including coaching salaries (62%)." More than 80% of the Power 5 respondents "supported an antitrust exemption to control athletic costs" (ESPN.com, 10/13).
