The NCAA Division I Board made a ruling on Tuesday to postpone the implementation of a rule permitting college athletes to place bets on professional sports, shifting the effective date from November 1 to November 22.
This decision comes in response to significant backlash from prominent figures, including SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, who urged the NCAA to rethink its decision to lift the longstanding ban on sports betting.
In a correspondence with NCAA President Charlie Baker, Sankey articulated his serious concerns regarding the potential ramifications of this rule on the integrity of competition and the welfare of athletes.
“On behalf of our institutions, I am writing to advocate for the NCAA Division I Board of Directors to withdraw this change and to reaffirm the organization’s dedication to upholding robust national standards that keep college participants removed from sports wagering activities at all levels,” he stated in his letter.
“Should there be legal or practical issues with the previous policy, those should be addressed through careful adjustments— not by entirely abolishing the protections that have historically ensured the integrity of games and the well-being of participants,” Sankey continued.
The new effective date of November 22 carries considerable consequences. It occurs one day after the conclusion of a 30-day period during which Division I schools can vote to repeal recently enacted legislation. According to NCAA regulations, a proposal can be annulled if less than 75% of Division I members supported it during the initial voting process.
As dissent grows and a recent federal probe into illegal gambling—resulting in over 30 arrests—keeps the conversation active, numerous individuals within college athletics perceive a legitimate chance that the legislation might be overturned.
ACC coaches have shared similar viewpoints. Pittsburgh’s Head Coach Pat Narduzzi labeled the proposal “one of the most foolish decisions I’ve ever encountered,” referencing rising gambling scandals in professional sports, including the recent detentions of NBA officials linked to illicit betting activities.
“Primarily, it’s an addiction,” Narduzzi argued. “It’s comparable to smoking, drinking, or drug use; it’s an unhealthy habit. I doubt anyone here would advocate for you to go out drinking excessively on a Friday night or Saturday night, or during a game.”
The NCAA has asserted that this upcoming rule change will not modify its ban on college athletes wagering on collegiate events or sharing confidential information. Additionally, the proposal encompasses expanded educational and support initiatives aimed at combating problem gambling.