Iowa State AD Urges SEC, Big Ten to Break Away With All Sports, Not Just Football
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 20
Iowa State AD Urges SEC, Big Ten to Break Away With All Sports, Not Just Football
7 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 20
Jamie Pollard said the SEC and Big Ten should stop threatening a split and leave if they want to, but only if they take every sport with them rather than separating in football alone.
Pollard argued a 20-school breakaway would be far less attractive in baseball, softball and track, underscoring his view that the two richest leagues still need the rest of the Power Four.
The remarks land as college leaders debate a bigger restructuring driven by widening revenue gaps, conference realignment and pressure to expand the College Football Playoff for more money.
Breakaway talk has widened beyond football scheduling to governance, with some prominent voices this year backing a Power Four exit from the NCAA and a new system that could include collective bargaining with players.
If the Big Ten and SEC create their own sports world, can they truly sustain it without the rest of college athletics?
With player pay caps and union votes, is college football just creating a new version of the NFL's labor battles?
As football giants form a super-league, what is the survival plan for the thousands of athletes in non-revenue sports?