Stillwater, Oklahoma – The college sports landscape is changing with the establishment of a new enforcement body known as the College Sports Commission (CSC). This organization aims to regulate NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) transactions, addressing long-standing concerns from coaches, fans, and administrators in college athletics. However, not everyone believes the CSC is the answer. Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy has expressed skepticism about this new oversight.
The CSC was formed following the settlement of the NCAA v. House case, which outlines the standards for NIL deals and the revenue-sharing model implemented on July 1. There has already been resistance from NIL collectives regarding the commission’s power. Recently, the CSC walked back its guidance that collectives could not directly compensate athletes after facing legal pushback. Gundy remarked on the commission’s uncertainty, stating, “The CSC is scared right now, right? I mean, what power do they have? They’re already being sued.”
It’s important to clarify that the CSC has not been formally sued; instead, it received pushback from lawyers who claim its guidelines are in conflict with the terms of the house settlement. In response, the commission revised its stance, allowing payments from NIL collectives as long as they meet the “valid business purpose” conditions laid out in the settlement.
Gundy is advocating for a more streamlined leadership in college sports. He believes that rather than having two enforcement bodies like the NCAA and CSC, there should be a single individual in charge. “You gotta get one person in charge, and then they gotta get the four power people in the room,” he said, pressing for discussions about equality and revenue sharing across the country.
The conversation around NIL is just one of several critical issues facing college sports today. Concerns about coaching demands and transfer portal issues also dominate offseason discussions. Gundy is not alone in his call for leadership reform; Penn State’s James Franklin and others have similarly suggested that a de facto commissioner could help solve these problems. “There’s gotta be a give-and-take,” Gundy added. “But until one person’s in charge, there won’t be a lot of give and take.” College sports continue to evolve, and addressing these challenges requires strong leadership and clear communication.
