NCAA President Mark Emmert to step down in 2023

The college sports world got hit with another huge story on Tuesday evening. After over a decade of serving as the head of the NCAA, Mark Emmert has decided to step down from his post as president.

“Throughout my tenure I’ve emphasized the need to focus on the experience and priorities of student-athletes,” Emmert said in a release.  “I am extremely proud of the work of the Association over the last 12 years and especially pleased with the hard work and dedication of the national office staff here in Indianapolis.”

NCAA Board of Governor’s Chair John J. DeGioia announced that the decision came as a mutual agreement with the board and that Emmert will continue to serve in this role until June 30, 2023.

“With the significant transitions underway within college sports, the timing of this decision provides the Association with consistent leadership during the coming months plus the opportunity to consider what will be the future role of the president,” said DeGioia. “It also allows for the selection and recruitment of the next president without disruption.”

The job search now begins for the next NCAA leader, and it is just another sign of how much things are changing in college athletics. We’ve seen the ACC (Jim Phillips), Big Ten (Kevin Warren), and Pac-12 (George Kliavkoff) all hire new commissioners within the last three years. Earlier this month, Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby announced his resignation.

With name, image, and likeness, and the transfer portal now playing pivotal roles in the space of college athletics, the amateurism model simply does not mean what it used to. The NCAA must adapt and evolve fast before major institutions decide to break up with the NCAA and form their own league down the road. The next leader must be forward-thinking to get a rigid group to adapt to the times.

Change is coming. Only time will tell how substantial this move will be.