Releases and Statements

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Knight Commission Urges NCAA to Pass Proposal to Reward Schools for Meeting Academic Expectations

[ Sessions and video with experts on college sports finances; and state and future of NCAA basketball ]

On the eve of a critical vote by the NCAA, the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics today urged passage of a new policy that would, for the first time, provide financial awards to schools that meet academic expectations for sports teams and athletes. During its fall meeting at the Newseum, the Commission also encouraged the NCAA to adopt policies under consideration that would reduce athletic time demands on college athletes.

Kirwan Retiring as Chair of Knight Commission

Knight Foundation announces changes in leadership and membership Knight Foundation President and CEO Alberto Ibargüen today announced leadership and membership changes to the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, including the retirement of its chairman, Dr. William E. “Brit” Kirwan. Kirwan’s final meeting will be at the Commission’s session today at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.…

Knight Commission Statement on Supreme Court Declining to Take Up O’Bannon Case

Now that the case is resolved, Commission says it’s time for NCAA to step up reform to prioritize college athletes’ education, protect their health and safety The Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court declining to review the appeals court ruling in O’Bannon v. NCAA. The…

Knight Commission Studies Interest in Alternative Division I Competition Models

Knight Commission Studies Interest in Alternative Division I Competition Models A Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics study reveals interest among university presidents, athletics administrators, faculty and head coaches in exploring alternative models for Division I competition and administration of different sports that may reduce missed class time and travel costs. The study was conducted to…

Knight Commission Statements on NCAA Values-Based Revenue Distribution Working Group Recommendations

The Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics has issued the following statements in response to the NCAA Values-Based Revenue Distribution Working Group recommendations, which have been the subject of a recent media report: September 30, 2016 Knight Commission Chair William E. “Brit” Kirwan, chancellor emeritus, University System of Maryland The Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics enthusiastically…

Knight Commission Calls for NCAA to Transform its Guidelines for March Madness Revenues to Better Support College Athletes and Protect Financial Integrity

[ Sessions and video with experts on NCAA revenue distribution; health and safety issues; amateurism; and athletic time demands ]

The Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics met today at the National Press Club and called for the NCAA to establish a new guiding principle for the use of NCAA revenues distributed to institutions from the March Madness tournament. The Commission recommended that 100 percent of NCAA revenues received by institutions should be restricted to supporting athletes’ education and providing them with appropriate health and safety benefits and protections. Under current guidelines, just 25 percent of NCAA revenues received by institutions are restricted to support athletes’ education and provide other benefits.

Arne Duncan, Anna Spangler Nelson and Paul Tagliabue to Join Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics

Contact: Hadley Dreibelbis, hadley.dreibelbis@finnpartners.com, 202-667-0901 Knight Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer Alberto Ibargüen announced today the appointment of Arne Duncan, Anna Spangler Nelson and Paul Tagliabue to the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics. Duncan recently stepped down as U.S. Secretary of Education; Tagliabue is the former commissioner of the National Football League; and Nelson…

Knight Commission Comments on NCAA Working Groups Appointed to Address Priority Issues

Knight Commission co-chairmen Brit Kirwan and Gerald Turner released the following statements in support of the NCAA’s appointment of working groups to address values-based revenue distribution and various components of the Division I sport organizational structure. “The Knight Commission is extremely pleased that a working group will examine a values-based revenue distribution system. The commission…

Impact of Knight Commission Efforts

The following serves to convey the influence of Knight Commission recommendations on the policies, practices, culture and outcomes in college sports: CLICK HERE for summaries and reactions to the most recent policy changes that are consistent with Knight Commission principles and recommendations. PRESIDENTIAL CONTROL AND LEADERSHIP Presidential leadership for athletics – on campus, in athletics…