College athletics never really sits still, does it? Lately, there’s been a lot of talk—some of it tense—about where things are headed. NCAA committee meetings, congressional hearings like the Protect College Sports Act, and shifting alliances are all in the mix right now.
Dan Butterly, the Big West Commissioner, has weighed in with his thoughts. He’s got a front-row seat to the changes, and he’s not shy about sharing what he sees coming down the pike.
The Bold Type: Commissioner Dan Butterly’s Insight
Butterly’s recent blog post, The Bold Type, is pretty candid about what’s going on. He lays out his experiences from a whirlwind of NCAA meetings and conventions, and you can tell he’s been around the block.
His reflections offer a different angle on all the forces—some obvious, some not—pushing college sports in new directions.
National Committees and Conventions
Butterly starts by describing his packed week: NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee meetings in Indianapolis, followed by Division I Cabinet meetings. He also made it to the NACDA Convention in Las Vegas. Those gatherings are where a lot of the big decisions get hammered out.
Meanwhile, Congress was busy too, holding a hearing on the Protect College Sports Act. It’s a bipartisan effort aimed at protecting student-athletes. Butterly points out that it’s worth looking back to figure out how we got here because, honestly, it’s a bit of a mess.
The Big West’s Strategic Priorities
At the Big West’s annual spring meetings, the Board of Directors kept their eyes on long-term stability, competitive excellence, and how the league is positioned for the future. They’re gearing up to add three new members on July 1, 2026. The decisions coming out of these meetings? Pretty bold, if you ask me.
Leadership Transitions and New Members
The Board signed off on several Council recommendations earlier in May. All of this is about making sure the 2026-27 academic year goes as smoothly as possible. The Big West is clearly trying to stay ahead of the curve as college sports keeps shifting.
Celebrating Achievements
Butterly doesn’t just talk policy—he takes time to shout out some real wins. Cal Poly baseball made it to the NCAA Baseball Championship Super Regionals for the first time ever. That’s huge for them and the conference.
Thirteen baseball players from five different schools also earned spots on the CSC Academic All-District team. Not too shabby, honestly.
Recognizing Individual Contributions
Cal Poly’s Jon Sioredas landed a spot on the NCAA Division I Men’s Wrestling Rules Subcommittee, starting September 1, 2026. These kinds of individual honors show just how much talent is floating around the Big West.
From NCAA President Charlie Baker on the Protect College Sports Act
NCAA President Charlie Baker weighed in on the Protect College Sports Act, and he didn’t mince words about its importance. He thanked the senators behind the bill and pointed out that it could help solve a lot of issues facing college athletes and NCAA schools.
Key Provisions of the Bill
The bill is supposed to lock in health, wellness, and academic benefits for student-athletes—making those protections part of federal law. It also tries to rein in shady agents and push for more transparency, which, let’s face it, is overdue.
Baker admits the bill isn’t perfect yet. Some parts need work to make sure scholarship opportunities stick around. The legislation covers big topics like transfers, eligibility, and pro status, but it skips over employment—still a thorny issue when it comes to scholarships.
Examining the NCAA Model
Butterly doesn’t shy away from tough questions: *If the NCAA model is broken, who broke it?* He argues that the loudest critics—those powerful conferences—have actually had the most say in shaping the rules.
Since 2014, those autonomous conferences have had more legislative power, yet many still complain about the system. It’s a bit ironic, isn’t it?
Accountability and Reform
He stresses that accountability matters. If you’ve helped design the system, you can’t just wash your hands of the results. Change is needed, sure, but so is owning up to past choices.
Many of the same leaders now calling for reform were the ones who put these policies in place. That’s not lost on anyone paying attention.
The Broader Landscape of College Athletics
Butterly reminds everyone that college sports isn’t just about major football. The NCAA is made up of more than 1,100 schools across Divisions I, II, and III. Thousands of student-athletes compete in sports that don’t make headlines, but their experiences matter too.
The Role of Major College Football
He points out the NCAA doesn’t run the College Football Playoff (CFP), doesn’t control the money, and doesn’t make the rules there. Yet, the NCAA gets stuck with the blame—and the lawsuits—when things go sideways.
Maybe it’s time for major college football to have its own governance, separate from the rest of the NCAA. It’s a thought that’s gaining traction.
Moving Forward
Butterly calls for a balanced approach as college athletics keeps evolving. The system isn’t perfect, but it’s not all bad either.
The future will depend on leaders being willing to own their decisions and actually work together to build something sustainable. Here’s hoping they’re up for it.
Commissioner Dan Butterly shares some honest thoughts on where college athletics stand right now. He digs into the bigger trends shaping the scene and doesn’t shy away from calling for more accountability.
Butterly’s blog feels like a nudge to slow down and really think about where college sports are headed. If you’re trying to make sense of all these changes, his perspective actually helps you see how we got here in the first place.
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