Build a case for change

College sports are undergoing seismic changes. Cultural, political, legal, and financial forces are colliding in ways that demand the transformation of college sports’ generations-old model and the creation of a system fit for the future. Over several years, BPI has been an integral partner to the NCAA in this ongoing transformation. 

BPI has also served as a strategic communication partner and counsel in support of the work of the NCAA’s Division I Transformation Committee. In this role, we worked closely with the NCAA and committee members (including university presidents, conference commissioners, and athletic directors) to build a compelling “case for change.” This included substantial efforts to help the Association’s 1,100+ member colleges and universities understand the forces reshaping college sports today and support big, bold solutions to complex challenges. In our work supporting the Transformation Committee, we assisted the NCAA in presenting membership with — at the time — the most significant expansion of benefits to student-athletes in NCAA history.

We presented the college sports community with a call to action and vision for the future in developing the “State of College Sports” address for the NCAA’s annual convention. Additionally, we have provided ongoing media relations counsel to ensure that coverage surrounding the business of college sports reflected the magnitude of the NCAA’s transformation efforts.

Beyond building a case for change, we have also worked with the NCAA on complementary public affairs work. While the NCAA is out front in reimagining the model for college sports, there are several important areas that require government intervention to ensure necessary clarity and stability. We have worked closely with the NCAA’s government relations and communications teams to raise awareness of the issues facing college sports and student-athletes in Washington, D.C., This has included a range of messaging and communication activities within the Beltway to help Congress and the surrounding policymaking community understand the urgency to act.