6 important college sports reform organizations compete for influence as the NCAA faces turmoil
Almost a century after the establishment of the NCAA, the landscape of college sports is in the midst of a significant transformation. This evolution demands input beyond the governance of the NCAA, leading to the emergence of several nonprofit organizations playing a crucial role in the reform conversation. These organizations are competing for attention, resources, and impact while navigating a system heavily influenced by powerful financial interests.
Among the prominent organizations seeking to shape the future of college sports is the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics (KCIA). Established in 1989 in response to a series of scandals that marred college athletics in the 1980s, the KCIA is a project under the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, a philanthropic organization with assets exceeding $2.5 billion. In recent years, the foundation has publicly disclosed its spending on “direct charitable activities” related to the commission’s work in its annual tax returns. With expenditures of $1.44 million in the fiscal year 2022 and $1.36 million in 2023, the KCIA has been actively involved in various initiatives to reform college sports.
In 2023, the Knight Commission allocated funds for two national meetings, conducted forums at the NCAA Convention and the National Association of Collegiate Athletics Directors (NACDA) annual meeting, and commissioned financial services firm CliftonLarsonAllen to analyze future spending patterns in FBS and Power 5 athletic departments. Additionally, since 2013, one of its primary endeavors has been maintaining an annual database of financial information from college athletic departments, based on disclosures made to the U.S. Department of Education. Collaborating with Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Communications, the Knight Commission now jointly manages the database, reflecting the names of both institutions.
Knight Commission CEO Amy Perko emphasized that the organization functions in line with other educational nonprofits, providing free access to its services, meetings, seminars, reports, letters, white papers, and financial analyses. The commission’s work is aimed at promoting transparency and accountability in college sports administration. Its activities are focused on highlighting financial trends and issues within college athletics, facilitating discussions, and sharing information for the public good.
With its longstanding presence in the realm of college sports reform, the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics continues to be an influential voice in shaping the future of intercollegiate athletics. Through its commitment to promoting integrity and accountability in college sports, the commission plays a vital role in identifying challenges and driving meaningful change in the collegiate sports landscape.