Commissioner Jeff Jackson – Guard Rails

‘Portal Pandemic’ Needs Guard Rails

(Omaha, NE) – While we’re celebrating March Madness, the underlying questions on many people’s minds is about the future of college athletics. ‘Portal Pandemic’ rules the game and basketball’s competitive balance. Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) and player free transfer decisions are creating instability in the sport. We spoke with Missouri Valley Conference Commissioner Jeff Jackson about a hope for guard rails where player movement and compensation are concerned.

Recently, Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey indicated that fewer mid and low major programs should be included in the NCAA Tournament. While fans have rejoiced that SEC schools have been historically bad in this edition of the Big Dance, those five ‘losers’ still acquired over $12 million for the conference, just by qualifying. One doesn’t have to guess at the motivation behind Sankey’s words.

Sankey told ESPN’s Pete Thamel smaller programs don’t belong in the tournament.

“We are giving away highly competitive opportunities for automatic qualifiers [from smaller leagues], and I think that pressure is going to rise as we have more competitive basketball leagues at the top end because of expansion.”

Guard Rails 

Commissioner Jackson believes college athletics is in a healthy place and Valley programs need to embrace the new normal. However, Jackson also believes there needs to be better understanding and more guard rails within that new normal.

NIL was designed to allow athletes to receive compensation on their name, image and likeness rather than being what Jackson calls ‘inducements’.

 

 

The possibility of athletes becoming ’employees’ of universities has suddenly become a part of the discussion. One Ivy League group of athletes is pursuing unionization. Dartmouth players say they want to paid and they want to ‘be heard’.

Commissioner Jackson says employee status brings with it some unintended consequences. Players might want to cautious about what they hope for.

 

 

Jackson recently testified before Congress on these issues.

NIT Success

Two Missouri Valley Conference teams are participating in the National Invitation Tournament. Sankey got his wish. Indiana State was slighted into the NIT. The Sycamores and the Bradley Braves won their NIT opening round games.

Jackson expressed his regret at Indiana State’s snubbing and that the Selection Committee should open their eyes to conference play. He believes the Valley can compete nationally and he’s proud of how the Sycamores and Braves are prospering.

 

 

While in Omaha we spoke with OVC Commissioner Beth DeBauche. Go here to read our story on the OVC’s strategic growth plan.

Do Good