Overview
- The College Sports Commission distributed a 10–11 page participation agreement to power-conference schools and requested signatures within two weeks, with the pact taking effect only if every school signs.
- Signatories would waive the right to challenge CSC decisions in court, routing appeals through the House settlement’s arbitration process.
- Schools must use best efforts to secure cooperation from coaches and boosters, face adverse inferences for noncooperation, and risk forfeiting conference revenue and postseason eligibility if they or associated entities, including state attorneys general, sue on their behalf.
- Power conferences agreed in principle to a penalty framework to be codified as NCAA bylaws, including possible postseason bans for egregious violations such as obstructing investigations.
- CSC leaders acknowledge friction with state laws that limit arbitration and note the agreement does not override state statutes, as the commission staffs up under enforcement lead Katie Medearis and prepares to open investigations within weeks.