NCAA President Charlie Baker Proposes New Subdivision, Athlete Compensation

The proposal, part of an effort to get ahead of legal troubles, could usher in a new reality where some athletes are treated like paid employees.

NCAA President Charlie Baker has proposed a new NCAA subdivision at the top of college sports, requiring schools that want to join to commit to paying athletes tens of thousands of dollars per year through a trust fund.
Baker has also suggested all Division I schools bring name, image, and likeness compensation for their athletes in-house through group licensing and remove limits on educational benefits schools can provide their players.
The proposal is part of a larger effort by Baker to persuade lawmakers that the NCAA is trying to get ahead of its legal troubles as they face antitrust challenges that could usher in a new reality where some athletes are treated like paid employees.
Baker, a former governor and health care CEO, is known for his ability to listen, learn, and adapt, and is seen as a good fit for the challenging task of reorienting the NCAA.
There are concerns about whether it's too late for the NCAA to change its model, which has been criticized for not resonating with the public anymore.