In January 2024, I wrote in response to the SBJ Intercollegiate Athletics Forum, noting a pervasive sense of pessimism and a lack of structural clarity across collegiate athletics. At the time, those concerns reflected an uneasy sentiment within the industry. Today, they reflect its reality.

Over the past year, the acceleration of the transfer portal, the rapid expansion of NIL and mounting legal pressures have exposed what many now acknowledge: The collegiate model, as constructed, is no longer sustainable. What was once framed as incremental change has revealed itself to be systemic disruption.

The fragmentation I previously referenced — among institutions, conferences, and student athletes — has only intensified. Governance remains unclear, competitive balance continues to erode, and the absence of a standardized approach to revenue sharing further complicates the ecosystem. At the same time, student athletes are operating in an environment that increasingly resembles professional sport, yet without the structure, protections or recognition that such a designation typically requires.

This raises a fundamental question: If college athletics has effectively evolved into a professionalized model, why does its framework continue to resist that reality?

Equally concerning is what continues to be overlooked. Mental health, while frequently acknowledged, remains insufficiently integrated into the broader business and performance conversation. As the pressures on student athletes grow, so too does the responsibility to address their well-being as a central pillar — not an afterthought.

The industry is no longer at a point of theoretical debate. It is at an inflection point that demands decisive action. A sustainable future for collegiate athletics will require reimagined governance, a transparent and equitable economic model, and a redefinition of the student-athlete experience that aligns with today’s realities.

The warning signs were visible. The outcomes are now evident. What remains is the willingness to act.

Dr. Emanuel Brown is founder and CEO of Freeman Sports Entertainment in Los Angeles.

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