PUBLIC SESSIONS FEATURED LEADERS DISCUSSING COLLEGE SPORTS REFORMS AND PROPOSED FEDERAL LEGISLATION
On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics held its spring meeting with two public sessions at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Chesapeake 7-9, Washington, D.C.
PRESS RELEASE AND SESSION VIDEOS
- Press Release: Knight Commission Supports NCAA’s Proposed Age-Based, Five-Year Eligibility Concept and Federal Legislation to Enforce National Eligibility Standards
- Session Video Recordings Session 1 | Session 2
- May 13 Meeting Highlights
- Photos from May 13, 2026 Public Meeting
MEETING RESOURCES
- 2026 Knight Commission Priorities for College Sports Reform (PDF)
- Status of Federal Efforts to Regulate College Sports (PDF), Resource provided by Greenberg Traurig, LLC
- Comparison of Major Federal Proposals Affecting College Sports (PDF), Resource provided by Greenberg Traurig, LLC
- Session Summaries and Panelist Bios (PDF)
Overview of Proposed Changes to NCAA Eligibility Rules, Status of Federal Legislation, and Other Pressing Issues Impacting College Sports
Session I video recording
During this session, leaders discussed impacts on college sports from major proposals to college athlete eligibility rules, recent Presidential Executive Order, and the status of proposed federal legislation, and other pressing issues.
Panelists:
- Val Ackerman, Commissioner, Big East Conference
- Sam Edwards, football athlete, Michigan State University; member, NCAA Division I Board of Directors
- Jenn Fraser, Senior Vice President for Governance and Member Services, NCAA
- Rob Mangas, Shareholder, Federal Government Law and Policy Group, Greenberg Traurig
- Tim Sands, President, Virginia Tech; Chair, NCAA Division I Board of Directors
University of Louisville Leaders Call for Reforms
Session 2 video recording
University of Louisville leaders, Dr. Laurence Benz, Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Dr. Gerry Bradley, President, and Josh Heird, Vice President and Director of Athletics, recently published four papers calling for substantive reforms, including the need for extensive cost controls, stronger protections for college athletes’ academic interests, and a commitment to broad-based opportunities and gender equity. These leaders highlighted their perspectives and the data that support their call for change.
KEY COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC MEETING
Len Elmore, Co-Chair, Knight Commission
“… two of the most pressing issues contributing to instability in college sports are inconsistent eligibility periods for some athletes and high transfer rates that are often accompanied by illegal tampering and/or athlete exploitation by agents…While manyproblems in college sports require solutions, addressing these two acute issues is most urgent and broadly supported.”
Val Ackerman, BIG EAST Conference Commissioner
on changing the current landscape of unlimited transfers
“We … believe that only Congress can empower the NCAA to enforce common-sense rules consistent with educational values, like permitting a return to one-time immediate eligibility transfers to prevent bidding wars and sustain graduation rates … and sanctioning the NCAA’s recently proposed age-based eligibility rule.”
Tim Sands, President, Virginia Tech; Chair, NCAA Division I Board of Directors,
on the connection between college sports and the academic mission
“…if we allow unlimited transfers for reasons that have nothing to do with the pursuit of a degree, we have relinquished the student-athlete model.”
Sam Edwards, former Football Athlete, Michigan State University;
Member, NCAA Division I Board of Directors
on how the federally mandated regulation of agents also will improve the college sports environment
“The predatory behavior of the agents … if we solve that issue, I think the tampering issue and the transfer portal issue will fall into place for the most part.”
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Media Inquiries: JoJo Rinebold: jojo@rineboldresults.com