NCAA governance paves way for massive changes after ratifying new constitution

If there were any doubts about whether the new NCAA constitution would pass, think again. NCAA representatives ratified it by a wide margin Thursday.

NCAA representatives voted 80.42% to 19.58% — easily reaching the two-thirds majority for approval. The new constitution gives more power to each division.

The NCAA Board of Governors unanimously approved a new constitution last month, and acknowledged the new document is part of a plan to modernize collegiate athletics.

“This process has been an example of how we can work together to modernize college sports and meet the needs of students engaged in intercollegiate athletics — today and for the future,” Board of Governors chair and Georgetown president Jack DeGioia wrote in a memo. “The ratification of a new constitution in January will unlock the ability for the divisions to rewrite rules for each division by August that will enable us to realize the goal of transforming NCAA governance to better serve our students.”

New constitution includes major changes to the NCAA as we know it

There are some major changes in this Constitution. Among them are a reduction in the number of members within the NCAA Board of Governors.

The draft calls for the number of members to be dropped from 21 to nine in attempt to “streamline decision-making for Association-wide issues.” Those nine members would include four Division I members, one Division II member, one Division III member, two independent members, and one former student athlete.

Additionally, student athletes would have roles serving on the Board of Directors for Division I. They would also serve on Presidents Councils for Division II and Division III. Student athletes would also have voting representation.

The NIL world has already shaken up collegiate athletics as we once knew it. Now, the updated NCAA constitution would represent those changes, as well as other financial and fundamental changes.

“The draft includes new concepts while also codifying some existing priorities and principles into the constitution for the first time,” the NCAA’s announcement said. “It prohibits pay-for-play but embraces name, image and likeness benefits. It maintains existing revenue allocations and championship opportunities for each division. Each division would have oversight of its own budget, expenditures and distribution to its members. 

“The current draft constitution also underscores the importance of both physical and mental health and emphasizes diversity, inclusion and gender equity.”

Now that the constitution has been ratified, the changes begin on Aug. 1 of the 2021-22 school year.

On3’s Jonathan Wagner contributed to this report.