Trustees and Presidents: A Podcast for University Leaders On College Athletics

Kent State University President Todd Dicon shares his perspectives on the evolving landscape of college athletics, the financial challenges faced by non Power 4 FBS institutions, and the implications of wider disparities within conferences. We explore how higher education and athletics intersect in a post-peak environment and what future strategies might look like.

My guest has taken one of the most unconventional routes you’ll ever hear about on the way to a university presidency.Bill Johnson is the president of Youngstown State University (OH), capping a career that has spanned military service, business entrepreneurship, and over a decade in the U.S. Congress—a background that uniquely positions him to navigate the turbulence reshaping college sports and higher education. Bill has become one of the most outspoken voices in the country on some of the most controversial issues in NCAA Division I athletics: the impact of massive antitrust legal settlements on mid-major budgets, the explosion of NIL money, the constant churn of the transfer portal, and whether student-athletes should be treated as university employees.In this conversation, we dig into why he believes recent NCAA settlements unfairly punish mid-major programs like Youngstown State, why he’s calling on Congress to set guardrails around NIL and the transfer portal, and how his coalition of non–Power Four conferences is trying to rebalance NCAA governance. We’ll also talk about his evolving view on paying student-athletes, his warnings about turning college sports into a “sub-professional” market, and what he sees as the tipping point that could either save or break the current system.

Karen Weaver and Harvard's Michael Horn unpack how today’s “wild west” of college athletics is tied directly to higher ed’s larger demographic and financial crisis: peak high school grads are behind us, net tuition is flat or falling, and costs—especially in athletics—keep climbing. They connect moves like paying athletes, mega coaching salaries, women’s sports growth, and the transfer portal to business-world disruptions such as the rise of personal computers, overpaid legacy CEOs, undervalued growth stocks like early Netflix, and the end of non-compete agreements

College athletics is moving faster than campus governance—and trustees can’t afford to watch from the sidelines. Karen Weaver sits down with higher-ed governance experts Peter Eckel (UPenn) and Raquel Rall (UC Riverside) to unpack fiduciary duty, board education, and how to make mission-driven decisions amid NIL, revenue sharing, realignment, and rising financial risk.

Dr. Karen Weaver and Melanie Bennett discuss the top risks facing college athletics as identified by United Educators, a risk management and liability insurance company. They explore various themes, including the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) regulations, health risks such as concussions, legal considerations in risk management, emergency preparedness, and the importance of addressing hazing and abuse in sports. The conversation also touches on hiring practices for coaches, navigating uncertain legal landscapes, and the significance of Title IX and gender equity in athletics. The discussion concludes with practical recommendations for college presidents and athletic departments to mitigate risks and ensure the safety and well-being of student-athletes.#CollegeAthletics #RiskManagement #NIL #HigherEd #SportsSafety #Podcast #EducationMatters #AthleteWellbeing #CampusLife #StudentSafety

From gambling busts to coaching chaos, discover why S&P Global analysts now spend more time talking about athletics than ever before—and what it means for your institution's financial future.In this eye-opening conversation, S&P Global rating analysts Beth Bishop and Ken Rodgers reveal how a single headline can trigger years of financial scrutiny, why your entire basketball team entering the transfer portal tanks your credit metrics, and how the House v. NCAA settlement is forcing universities to make billion-dollar bets on their athletic futures. Whether it's the reputational damage from a gambling scandal or the strategic gamble of jumping conferences, every headline now has a price tag—and someone's keeping score.

College athletics is increasingly financially strained, running deficits as costs skyrocket. Yet revenues remain undervalued, especially in sponsorship, despite massive fan engagement, media consumption and attendance. Unlocking growth requires commercially minded leadership, new revenue streams, cost discipline, and corporate-style structures to modernize the business model and fully monetize college sports. Michael Schreiber, is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Playfly Sports is today’s guest.

What do University Leaders need to know about the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961? Tulane law professor Gabe Feldman joins the conversation where he discusses this and other key legal issues for college sports to keep an eye on for 2026.Feldman explains that while the NFL has successfully pooled its television revenue, college sports have not been granted the same privileges. This legal framework limits the potential for universities to share broadcasting revenue, which could otherwise support rising expenses in college athletics.  As the landscape of college sports continues to evolve rapidly, understanding the nuances of legal and financial challenges becomes increasingly essential for university leaders. 

In the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, the need for institutions to adapt and prioritize the well-being of their students has never been more crucial. In a recent podcast episode featuring Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, a renowned educator and former president of Spelman College, we delve into an audacious decision that reshaped the college's athletics program and shifted its focus towards holistic wellness.Through her research, Dr. Tatum discovered alarming statistics: young Black women were among the most sedentary groups in the United States, leading to increased health risks such as obesity and hypertension. With a mission to prepare students for lives of service and leadership, she envisioned a shift from traditional athletics to a wellness initiative that would benefit the entire student body, rather than just a select few athletes.

The “College Athletics” infrastructure is collapsing under the growing workloads of staff retrenchment and changing job descriptions. Whether its wins, squad sizes, in athlete medical care and/or for academic transfers coming in from the portal, the enterprise is under more pressure than ever.Kevin McClure, professor of Education Policy at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, just wrote a book called “The Caring University”. Concerned about the state of employment and employees who work on campus, Kevin emphasizes the persistent "churn and burn" mentality within institutions, (where employees are often undervalued) is vastly underdiscussed, particularly in athletics. He discusses examples of employees who leave higher education due to poor working conditions, highlighting the need for institutions to reassess their approach. Rather than merely replacing staff, universities should focus on improving job conditions and employee experiences to retain talent. Book: The Caring University, Reimagining the Higher Education Workplace After the Great Resignation out now. Find it here: https://drkevinrmcclure.com/book/

Josh Walker, Co-Founder and CEO of Sports Innovation Lab (now a part of Genius Sports) explains where new NCAA revenue streams are coming from. Calling it the “Premium Economy”, Josh encourages senior leaders to understand and leverage their most valuable assets in today’s entertainment economy—live sports.Our conversation explores the evolving landscape of live entertainment in the context of higher education, emphasizing the need for college presidents to embrace new opportunities for monetization and community engagement through innovative strategies and technology.

Dr. Luke Wood, Sacramento State's ninth president, is leading an ambitious FCS to FBS transition for the university's football program. He discusses his vision for elevating athletics as an economic development engine, bringing celebrity coaches like Mike Bibby and Shaquille O'Neal to campus, advocating for revenue share as racial justice, and his bold prediction that Sac State will become a flagship university within five years.

Join Dr. Karen Weaver and special guest Armand Alacbay, Chief of Staff and Vice President for Government Relations at the American Council for Trustees and Alumni for a timely exploration of the Big Ten’s headline-making $2.4 billion private equity deal with UC Investments. Learn why top universities like Michigan and USC are hitting pause, how trustee oversight is essential in college sports finance, and what’s really at stake for the future of the Big Ten. Don’t miss this candid discussion on transparency, governance, and tough decisions in higher education leadership.Also included are three panelists from the ACTA webinar held November 14 who offered key commentary as this crisis began to boil into the open.First: Michigan Regent Sarah HubbardSecond: ACTA President Michael PoliakoffThird: USC Regent Jeff SmulyanFull ACTA webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJEnqmA66_0&t=5s

University of San Diego President Jim Harris discusses the potential restructuring of the NCAA, particularly focusing on the Power Four conferences and their financial influence via football over all of college athletics.He suggests that these conferences could establish their own governance and rules, separate from the NCAA, to better manage their unique challenges, especially in football. This could lead to a more equitable distribution of power and decision-making within college sports, allowing for a more tailored approach to regulations and financial management.As leaders, we have to start having these conversations.

In a world where the financial dynamics of higher education are constantly shifting, understanding how universities manage their funds is crucial. Karen Weaver dives into an engaging discussion with Janet Lorin, a seasoned reporter from Bloomberg News, who sheds light on the intricate relationship between university endowments, student debt, and innovative revenue streams. The conversation kicks off with an exploration of the Big Ten Conference's potential partnerships with the University of California pension system. Lorin clarifies that the pension fund, valued at approximately $200 billion, is not a conventional private equity investor but rather a significant institutional investor looking for substantial returns. This partnership aims to create new revenue streams through ventures like volleyball tournaments, which could ultimately support university financial health. Lorin shares her extensive experience covering university endowments, highlighting the performance of Ivy League schools. This year, Ivy League institutions saw similar returns of around 11-12%. However, she notes that traditional investment strategies are no longer yielding the advantages they once did, as U.S. equities have outperformed private equity investments over recent years. With college tuition skyrocketing, many institutions face criticism for not utilizing their endowments to ease the financial burden on students. Lorin explains that universities often have strict guidelines governing the use of donated funds, which can limit their flexibility in addressing tuition concerns. The conversation delves into the misconception that all students pay the full tuition price, and how the increasing costs may lead potential students to consider alternative pathways, such as community colleges or certificate programs.

Dr. Karen Weaver engages with Dr. Eric Monday and Erik Judson to discuss the evolving landscape of college athletics, particularly at the University of Kentucky. They explore the formation of Champion Blue LLC, the importance of multimedia rights, and the role of private equity in enhancing university partnerships. The conversation emphasizes the need for innovative thinking in higher education and the significance of building strong, enterprise-wide relationships to navigate the challenges faced by institutions today.BONUS: Adding to the original conversation, Erik Judson shares his take on stadium/entertainment districts from his lengthy experience with Petco Park and the San Diego Padres, and what university presidents should know about the changing college sports environment (28:56). 

Dr. Karen Weaver engages with Dr. Eric Monday, EVP and CFO at UKentucky, and Erik Judson, CEO of JMI Sports, to discuss the evolving landscape of college athletics, particularly at the University of Kentucky. They explore the formation of Champion Blue LLC, the importance of multimedia rights, and the role of private equity in enhancing university partnerships. The conversation emphasizes the need for innovative thinking in higher education and the significance of building strong, enterprise-wide relationships to navigate the challenges faced by institutions today.NOTE: There is an audio issue with Erik Judson's connection about 25 minutes. The full conversation is available in the updated version.

In this podcast episode, Dr. Karen Weaver discusses the complexities of data rights in college athletics with Kristy Gale, CEO of Honor Data Rights Management. They explore the ethical implications of data collection, the importance of educating athletes about their data rights, and the potential for universities to monetize athlete data while ensuring compliance with regulations. The conversation highlights the need for transparency, informed consent, and the evolving landscape of athlete data management.

Karen Weaver interviews Dr. Daniel Mahony, the 10th president of the Southern Illinois University System. They discuss the unique structure of the SIU system, the challenges and opportunities in college athletics, and the importance of community engagement and student involvement. Dr. Mahony shares insights on financial management, legislative challenges, and the potential for creating athletic majors. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of college athletics and the need for innovative thinking in the face of changing dynamics.

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jill Murray, the first female president of Lackawanna College (PA), discusses the college's transition from NJCAA to NCAA Division II, highlighting the innovative changes and strategic planning involved. She emphasizes the importance of athletic development, student support, and expanding athletic programs to enhance student experiences. Dr. Murray also addresses the challenges of compliance, budgeting, and the role of e-sports in college athletics, providing insights for new college presidents considering similar transitions.