Team to Dream Work aims to help non-revenue generating college sports evolve and thrive amidst the shifting landscapes of college athletics by guiding them through a strategic transition that fosters economic sustainability, athletic competitiveness, and student experiential learning that better aligns with the educational missions of their institutions.
Our white paper "Navigating New Realities: Strategic Approaches for Non-Revenue Sports in the Wake of NCAA and College Athletics Changes," explores the challenges and opportunities faced by non-revenue sports due to shifts in college athletics. It emphasizes the consultancy's unique expertise in this evolving landscape and outlines strategic approaches for economic sustainability.
- Changing College Athletic Conferences: The evolving landscape of athletic conferences impacts non-revenue sports through changing media revenue distribution and rising travel costs. These factors can lead to budget cuts or even elimination of programs.
- Financial Pressures: Multiple financial stressors affect non-revenue sports, including:
- Conference realignment increasing travel costs.
- Labor cost increases due to updated Department of Labor regulations.
- NIL collectives diverting donations away from athletic departments.
- Decreasing undergraduate enrollment, further straining budgets.
- NCAA's Shifting Landscape: Legal and regulatory changes contribute to the uncertainty:
- Potential antitrust lawsuit settlements.
- Athlete unionization opening new financial challenges.
- Mandated tuition support, mental health services, and injury insurance adding new costs.
- Easing NIL regulations altering traditional funding methods.
- Strategic Consultancy Model: The consultancy offers a specialized model that includes:
- Resource Advocacy: Supporting teams in retaining resources post-transition.
- Transformation Guidance: Advising teams on transitioning to a new model that preserves competitive experiences and aligns with educational goals.
- Alumni Integration: Encouraging alumni involvement to support the new model.
- Best Practices and Compliance: Ensuring alignment with relevant regulations and standards.
Our Conclusion:
The consultancy calls for a proactive approach to adapt non-revenue sports to the changing collegiate athletic landscape. With a strategic consultancy model, these sports can remain competitive and financially sustainable, preserving the benefits they offer to colleges while reducing department costs.
