The question isn’t whether the system can change but whether student-athletes and their advocates will demand it. The time to act is now–before another generation of athletes is lost to sports administrative failures.
While Title IX often takes center stage in discussions about college sports, an equally pivotal case deserves the spotlight: the 1988 Supreme Court decision in Tarkanian v. NCAA. This ruling established that NCAA institutions were not state actors, lacking government-like powers such as issuing subpoenas to investigate allegations.
However, these institutions were saddled with a different mandate: maintaining institutional control. Many failed to foresee how this legal decision would inadvertently create a $30 million behemoth: sports administration.
Yet, as often happens with bureaucratic constructs, the transition from theory to practice descended into the chaos of middle management—a realm frequently populated by individuals largely devoid of expertise in sports or adolescent development. The term “athletic administration” quickly became an oxymoron. Over the ensuing decades, the glaring deficiencies in prioritizing student-athletes’ welfare exposed this system as more of a hindrance than a help.
The Illusion of Competence: Sports administrators’ reality starkly contrasts with leaders in other industries. Unlike titans of industry or even university presidents, most administrators neither possess prestigious degrees nor boast significant experience in sports. Many have not played college sports. Instead, they ascend through the ranks as the tallest figures in a landscape of mediocrity, perpetuating an illusion of competence while pontificating from their ivory towers. Consider this: several administrators oversee athletic departments generating annual revenues exceeding $100 million. Yet, none of these individuals has transitioned to a Fortune 500 company or a major professional sports organization. This stark absence of external validation should raise a cacophony of alarms.
A System That Enabled, Not Regulated: Athletic administrations were granted far too much leeway from the beginning. Where were the watchdogs—in academia or beyond—when administrators hired coaches with criminal records? Or when failing coaches, demanding exorbitant salaries, were handed golden parachutes upon their dismissal? And when sports administrations began to trumpet the construction of “student-athlete success centers,” the underlying assumption that administrators could provide a superior education compared to tenured professors should have been met with universal skepticism. Instead, at every turn, the system prevailed, further eroding the responsibility of administrators to uphold institutional values.
Along the way, the primary beneficiaries were the administrators and coaches, who profited handsomely, while athletes were left to bear the cost of their misplaced trust.
The False Victory of Graduation Rates: To placate critics, administrations pointed to administrations cited. But this victory, hollow as it may be, placated critics at an immeasurable cost to student-athletes. As a former SEC coach, I witnessed firsthand the undue pressures on these athletes to conform to a narrow definition of success. Many were steered toward easier academic paths or overwhelmed by the dual burden of athletic and academic obligations, leading to long-term emotional and psychological tolls.
The Seismic Shift of 2021: In June 2021, the Supreme Court delivered a unanimous ruling (NCAA vs. Alston et al. )that allowed student-athletes to be compensated for their contributions. This decision, culminating in a class action filed in 2014, reshaped the landscape of college sports overnight. Predictably, athletic administrations were woefully unprepared for the ripple effects. Athletes were suddenly granted agency over their earnings and future while still being tethered to the demands of their coaches. Those dissatisfied with their financial arrangements or team dynamics could leave without facing the consequences.
Utah’s “Truckarama” (photo courtesy ABC 4 Utah)
Settling for Scraps: In the short term, many athletes have celebrated these changes by cashing in, often without considering the bigger picture. For example, every scholarship football player at the University of Utah recently received a new truck. While flashy headlines like these capture public attention, they obscure a harsh reality: athletes still settle for scraps. Athletic departments generating surpluses of $30 million annually could redirect these funds to initiatives that provide lasting value. Imagine a system that offers former athletes support for dealing with chronic injuries sustained during their playing careers or one that provides emotional counseling for address aggression, trauma, and other psychological challenges faced by both current and former athletes. Retirement funds could be established to secure the futures of those who devoted their youth to the sport. The possibilities for meaningful, transformative impact are endless.
Reclaiming Agency: Financial compensation, however, is only part of the equation. What’s truly at stake is student-athletes empowerment to take control of their destinies. By pushing for structural changes beyond NIL money, athletes can demand a system prioritizing their well-being and development. Imagine a scenario where athletes play a central role in the hiring and firing of coaches. Such a shift enhances player satisfaction, reduces the frequency of transfers, and fosters a healthier team environment. Likewise, involving athletes in designing and constructing new facilities could create spaces that genuinely serve their needs while providing invaluable leadership and business experience. The benefits of such a system would extend far beyond the playing field. Athletes could graduate as champions and self-starters with resumes that reflect their involvement in managing multimillion-dollar enterprises. Phrases like “team leader,” “HR experience,” and “business operations” would become staples on their resumes. These skills could open doors to countless other opportunities for those whose athletic careers don’t extend to the professional level.
A Watershed Moment: The sports administration’s failure to serve as vigilant custodians of institutional values is a matter of record. Decades of red tape and misplaced priorities have betrayed the student-athletes these systems were designed to support. The 2021 Supreme Court ruling offers a rare opportunity to rewrite this narrative. It’s a chance for student-athletes to push for a system that revolves around their growth, both on and off the field. Financial equity is essential but must be accompanied by structural reforms that promote long-term development and success.
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At this crossroads, the question isn’t whether the system can change but whether student-athletes and their advocates will demand it. The time to act is now … before another generation of athletes is lost to sports administrative failures.
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B.M. Ryan is a retired entrepreneur who plays too much golf and, when struck to do so, writes about a diverse and broad spectrum of ideas.
