This is interesting as it reminds me that in 2003 Vanderbilt restructured Commodore athletics by merging the then standalone department into the University’s Division of Student Life. Hmm… 
Just spin them off and cut them loose from the schools. Drop all the rules around college sports and go be the pro team they are.
Nothing ever bad happens when a non profit or government entity tries to operate like a business.
I fail to see how this solves anything.
In fact it’s likely to increase costs cause the new LLc will have to operate its own benefits and payroll and IT and everything.
Not to mention a new layer of “management” and consultants!!
They are in the SEC. The revenue is there. This is really going to help them??
And if they are legally separate and have their own board, then how does the president of the university exert control?
What happens when the LLc does something that embarrasses the university?
What’s the government oversight look like.
The whole thing smells.
IMO it just sets the stage for the professional franchise without rules around academics or eligibility or such. It avoids title IX issues. Ultimately if all the schools do this they can operate like the NFL.
If it goes the way you describe it will fail. It flys in the face of what college football is and what made it popular.
It will turn into a minor league and lose the cachet of college affiliation.
The minute the players are not students and have no limit on eligibility the popularity goes down.
I mean they are messing around with the very fabric of our sports loving society.
It’s madness I tell you!!!
There is only one NFL.
And they do not share power!
And if the AD is an LLC then how does that impact student fees?
This couldn’t be done at a school where athletic fees support the AD I don’t think.
Maybe this will be the separation point.
And if so. I say bring it on.
Good summary.
I am still trying to figure out how there is a ROI for most universities in a model like this. Sure it is publicity for the university but I am not sure what that publicity is supposed to represent. Our paid employees are better than yours. None of this makes sense.
clt has a hot take. we are not far away from having “team gatorade” play “team kentucky” in “college” football
If most of the big brands form LLCs for their rev sports that they operate independently the schools can then charge the LLC for branding, take that income to fund all the other sports and receive the advertising and notoriety without having to deal with the ncaa type rules around eligibility and academics.
I think the interesting thing is what if you have the professional Alabama crimson tide but then also a college crimson tide team?
Also at what point does the NFL realize college is a competitor now? Remove age restrictions and play in Saturdays?
And do college fans actually want to watch professional sports with their brand?