SEC "threatens" D-IV

[WVAPPeer]

SEC ponders 'Division IV'

Updated: May 30, 2014, 6:13 PM ET

DESTIN, Fla. -- The Southeastern Conference sent a strong message to the NCAA on Friday: provide the Power Five some autonomy or they'll form their own division.

SEC Commissioner Mike Slive said if the Power Five conferences -- which also include the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Big 12, the Power Ten and the Pac-12 -- don't get the flexibility needed to create their own bylaws, the next step would be to move to "Division IV."

"It's not something we want to do," Slive said on the final day of the SEC meetings. "We want to the ability to have autonomy in areas that has a nexus to the well-being of student athletes. I am somewhat optimistic it will pass, but if it doesn't, our league would certainly want to move to a Division IV. My colleagues, I can't speak for anybody else, but I'd be surprised if they didn't feel the same way."



“
Slive We hope everyone realizes we are moving into a new era and (Division IV) is the way to retain your collegiate model. It would be a disappointment and in my view a mistake not to adapt the model. This is a historic moment. If we don't seize the moment, we'll make a mistake.
” -- SEC commissioner Mike Slive

Moving to Division IV would keep the Power Five under the NCAA umbrella while granting college football's biggest money makers the kind of power to better take care of student-athletes. The SEC, for example, would like to pay full cost of college attendance, provide long-term medical coverage and offer incentives to kids who return to school and complete degrees.

Smaller Division 1 schools likely can't afford the changes the major conferences are seeking. And while D-II and D-III have their own rules, forming a D-IV would seemingly create a wider divide between the Big Five and other smaller schools.

Slive, however, said a potential move wouldn't disrupt championship formats, including the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

"I've been so optimistic that we're going to stay in Division I that we haven't sat down and tried to map it out," Slive said. "But we know that failure to create what we're trying to create would result in doing something different. How we would construct a Division IV? We haven't looked in that.

"We hope everyone realizes we are moving into a new era and this is the way to retain your collegiate model. It would be a disappointment and in my view a mistake not to adapt the model. This is a historic moment. If we don't seize the moment, we'll make a mistake."

University of Florida President Bernie Machen wasn't nearly as confident about staying in Division I.

"We're in a squeeze here," Machen said. "There are now six lawsuits that name our conference in them that specifically have to do with the whole cost of attendance and stuff like that. We would like to make changes, but we can't because the NCAA doesn't allow us to. We're really caught between a rock and a hard play. We desperately would like some flexibility."

The SEC wants the NCAA steering committee to adopt its proposal for the voting threshold, which would allow the Big Five to pass legislation with more ease. The NCAA board of directors will vote on the steering committee's proposal in August.

Currently, the NCAA requires two-thirds vote of the 65 schools and 15 student representatives as well as four out of five conferences.

"What we fear is that nothing will change because the threshold is so high," Machen said. "We're asking them to lower the threshold, which we propose is 60 percent and three conferences. With three conferences out of five and 60 percent of the 65 and 15, you can make those kinds of changes."

Still, Machen has his doubt it will pass.

"This is the NCAA we're dealing with," he said.

And Machen envisions rough waters ahead if things don't change.

"The whole thing could go up in smoke if the lawsuits come down or with the unionization rule," he said. "So the whole intercollegiate model is at risk if we don't do something. If they don't want to do this, it seems to me it's incumbent upon them to come up with something else that will help us get out us this box."

[CVAPP]

When the Greedy 5 are the only ones left playing college football, a lot less people, including students athletes, are going to give a rat's ass about playing or watching college football. This is a Not For Long dilemma.

[Saint3333]

I hate to say this, but schools about the P5 make up less than 5% of the NCAA football watching population.

Welcome back to 1978.

[WVAPPeer]

When the Greedy 5 are the only ones left playing college football, a lot less people, including students athletes, are going to give a rat's ass about playing or watching college football. This is a Not For Long dilemma.

Don't think college football is going to disappear - they have the cards and I'm sure they intend to play them and there isn't much to stand in their way - However, regardless of what happens college football will remain king ---

[sixtoes9134]

For any of the naysayers who wanted to remain FCS, this is precisely why we couldn't.

[WVAPPeer]

For any of the naysayers who wanted to remain FCS, this is precisely why we couldn't.

Well I'm not sure that is true - personally I felt with all that was happening it was time to move up - the SoCon was dying - But, many who championed the move up used the reasoning that we needed to be with the Big Boys (I agree) however if the Big Boys form their own division then we are again 2nd level - (certainly a better second level than being FCS but still 2nd level) ---

[YesAppCan]

I really don't think that many on here really believed we were moving to be with the "big boys"... Just "bigger" boys.

[sixtoes9134]

Once this happens FCS will not ever sniff another P5 matchup.

[DoubleA]

[urlhttp://www.ncaa.com/news/ncaa/article/2014-05- ... rs-2013-14][/url]

Split of top half BCS is investable, given the money divide - which is more like a Gulf. It will be interesting to see the unintended consequences of such a move. Can they really hang on to the collegiate "amateur" model?

[DoubleA]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/colleg ... -meetings/

A good read regarding forces behind a potential re-organization of college sports. Boise State president's views on the subject (see link within SI story) present a good "mid major" perspective on the subject.

[Black Saturday]

Just adding that Nick Saban is supposed to be given the blessing of a $7,000,000 per year contract by the Alabama powers at some point today.

That right there is an example of the great money divide between the 5 have it all football conferences and the have littles. $7 million a year? .....WoW!

However, not all 65 or so schools within the "5" conferences are not financially equal, but they have access to a lot more revenues than the non "5" conferences.

APP had to move up to keep from going down the drain. There has to be more evolution taking place on the horizon of the football landscape.

[AppAttack]

Guys, we moved up JUST in time.

[canes_mj]

This is inevitable. Too much money to be had, and the big 5 are going to find a way to have as much of it as they can. They seem to be inching towards this slowly but surely. Honestly though, putting personal feelings aside, they're right. Why should they be governed by the same rules as schools and programs a fractions of their size? Why shouldn't they keep the money that they generate? I don't know what this is going to do to App in the long run, but they can't keep trying to hold them back for the benefit of the lower schools.

[Saint3333]

If people voted using these same principles our government leaders would be very different currently, funny how people's perspective change like that.

Should we look at what is best with the idea that the term "student athlete" still is relevant?

This slippery slope is starting to depress me, a very sad day is coming. This must be what it felt like between 1978-1982. The writing is on the wall.

[appst89]

If people voted using these same principles our government leaders would be very different currently, funny how people's perspective change like that.

Should we look at what is best with the idea that the term "student athlete" still is relevant?

This slippery slope is starting to depress me, a very sad day is coming. This must be what it felt like between 1978-1982. The writing is on the wall.

The writing has been on the wall. This is pretty much what we had to know was going to happen when we decided to move. We got ourselves in position to be matched with schools that have similar resources and facilities to us. When it all shakes out, schools like App will be playing college football and the P5 will be semi-professional leagues.

[AppDawg]

This is nothing but the SEC trying to shape the conversation and throwing s shot across the bow. They want the G5 to be scared so they cower to and take the best deal for the P5. They want the G5 to be happy with the piddly payouts compared to what they (P5) will ultimately receive. The P5 wants us and the rest of the G5 to just be happy they are allowing us to play them. Slive is a smart man and he doesn't say something unless there is an intended result. Its all a out $$$ and greed. Academics at the P5 level left the building years ago.

[eggers76]

The Duke AD with some counter discussion to this new division. I think he makes some good points, though I am sure his opinion will be in the minority among his peers in the P5, even within those of the ACC

http://www.wralsportsfan.com/duke-ad-wh ... /13702307/

[moehler]

I think, atleast I hope, there are a lot of P5 schools that share the same views as the Duke AD. These schools, still believe that academics are important, and the athletic dept are just one piece of the puzzle. Schools like Alabama have totally sold out to athletics, and making as much profit as humanly possible, they just don't care anymore about the traditional views of how to operate a University, they would destroy G5 schools and the NCAA if it meant a few extra dollars, these guys have no conscience, they are paid to make as much money as possible and they are dam good at it.

[appst89]

The Duke AD with some counter discussion to this new division. I think he makes some good points, though I am sure his opinion will be in the minority among his peers in the P5, even within those of the ACC

http://www.wralsportsfan.com/duke-ad-wh ... /13702307/

He, and those who think like him, will either be forced to capitulate or they will be kicked to the curb. This bus is being driven by Alabama and Texas and Oklahoma and if Duke or Stanford or Vanderbilt doesn't like where the bus is going, they'll be shown the door very quickly.

[WVAPPeer]

I think, atleast I hope, there are a lot of P5 schools that share the same views as the Duke AD. These schools, still believe that academics are important, and the athletic dept are just one piece of the puzzle. Schools like Alabama have totally sold out to athletics, and making as much profit as humanly possible, they just don't care anymore about the traditional views of how to operate a University, they would destroy G5 schools and the NCAA if it meant a few extra dollars, these guys have no conscience, they are paid to make as much money as possible and they are dam good at it.

Not going to happen my friend - the bottom line is money and the Dukes, Vanderbilts, Wakes, Berkeleys share in the money --- You mention Alabama and you are correct about that - what with 3 national championships in football in what, 5 years --- $$$
But where would you put UNC-Chapel Hill? - They haven't even won an ACC football championship in like 35 years and look what they have done to their university for the sake of football money ---