• Loading stock data...
Thursday, November 7, 2024
DEADLINE EXTENDED: The Best Employers in Sports survey is now open through Nov. 13 Learn More

Kevin Warren Is Open To Revenue-Sharing With Players, 20-Team League

  • Warren told Real Sports’ Bryant Gumbel that he’s open to athlete revenue-sharing and a 20-team league.
  • This is the strongest indication that he’s given yet of the Big Ten’s future.
Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

On Thursday, the Big Ten signed the largest media rights package in college sports history.

One day later, Commissioner Kevin Warren said he is open to paying players a share of athletic department revenue in an interview with Bryant Gumbel on HBO’s “Real Sports.” He also suggested the Big Ten could eventually expand to 20 teams.

Further Expansion

In the Big Ten and SEC, conference realignment moves have created two up-and-coming “Super Leagues.” 

In June, the Big Ten announced it will add USC and UCLA in 2024. Later, Warren said the future “may include” further expansion — though he never specified the number of teams. 

“But it will be done for the right reasons at the right time,” he said.

As multiple reports have acknowledged, the conference would likely be interested in adding Notre Dame, as well as Oregon and Washington. Whether that happens in the next year or down the road, the conference is already set up to welcome new members.

The Big Ten’s blockbuster media rights deal — which will pay out mid-$7 billion over seven years — has language embedded to handle further media fee adjustments if additional schools join, a source told Front Office Sports.

Paying the Players

Warren indicated — as he has before — that he’s open to conversations about how schools could share revenue directly with athletes. “Those are the things that we have to resolve,” Warren told Gumbel. “We have to.”

He’s arguably already made some movement on this issue. Over the summer, the conference established an athlete advisory committee to give players a voice in conference decisions. 

But the committee’s timing was suspect. It was announced shortly after news broke of an organizing effort among Penn State football players and an outside advocacy group to negotiate better medical resources and media rights revenue-sharing with the Big Ten. 

When the effort was publicized, Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford — who was initially interested — decided to join Warren’s advisory committee instead. 

Jason Stahl, who heads the outside organization, told FOS he believed administrators’ efforts were meant to weaken the movement, rather than create an alternative avenue for change. It’s unclear how much power the advisory committee will have, but Warren’s comments at least suggest he’s open to a conversation.

Either way, the issue isn’t going anywhere. Stahl said he still has multiple athletes signed up for his organization. And on Thursday, Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud told the Columbus Dispatch he wanted a cut of the Big Ten’s blockbuster deal.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NFL TV Ratings: Can Amazon Keep Up Record ‘TNF’ Pace?

Thursday night games are averaging 13 million viewers.

NBA TV Ratings Continue Trending Down to Open Season

The league has dealt with injuries to stars like Joel Embiid.

CFP’s 12-Team Debut: How NIL, Realignment Shape the Bracket

Miami is ranked No. 4 as aggressive NIL spending has no doubt helped the Hurricanes to their 9–0 start.
Surrounded by family members and supporters, Donald Trump makes his acceptance speech at his Election Night Watch Party at the Palm Beach County Convention Center after being elected the 47th President of the United States November 5, 2024.

Republicans Won Big in the 2024 Election. So Did the NCAA

“It’s a bad day to be a college athlete,” one staffer says.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Is Trump Recruiting Sports Figures for Future Cabinet?

0:00

Featured Today

NFL Center Connor McGovern Is the Heir to a Potato Empire

The NFL vet’s family provides potatoes for McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and others.
Vanderbilt Commodores fans head to the south end zone as the goal post is taken down by exuberant fans after beating No. 1 Alabama 40-35 at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
opinion
November 2, 2024

Something New in College Football This Year: Parity

Upsets, surprises. CFB is more fun on the field than the NFL.
Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump waves flanked by former Georgia Bulldogs player Herschel Walker, recording art Kid Rock, professional golfer John Daily, Alabama senators Tommy Tuberville (R) and Katie Britt (R) during the second half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
November 1, 2024

Mission Swing State: College Football’s Political Advertising Battle

Trump, Harris, and the PACs that support them are utilizing the sport.
October 31, 2024

The Untapped Revenue ‘Powder Keg’ of Women’s NFL Fandom

There’s a “boatload” of money at stake for brands and the league.
Oct 4, 2024; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg (2) is introduced to the fans during Countdown to Craziness at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
November 4, 2024

All Eyes on Cooper Flagg As College Basketball Tips Off

He makes his NCAA debut with Duke on Monday.
November 4, 2024

New Era, New Chaos? New CFP Team Rankings Explained

The new College Football Playoff system’s complexities might confuse some college football fans.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Apr 1, 2024; Portland, OR, USA; USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) drives to the basket during the second half against UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) in the finals of the Portland Regional of the NCAA Tournament at the Moda Center.
November 4, 2024

Women’s College Basketball Begins Its Star-Studded Post–Caitlin Clark Era

Women outdrew the men in the championship with 18.9 million viewers.
Donald Trump
November 4, 2024

ESPN Will Drop First 12-Team CFP Rankings in Heart of Election Night

The network traditionally hasn’t shied away from going up against election coverage.
Eastern New Mexico forward Jose Murillo (33) passes the ball between Grand Canyon University forward Sammie Yeanay (23) and guard Makaih Williams (2) during an exhibition game at Global Credit Union Arena in Phoenix on Oct. 29, 2024.
November 1, 2024

Grand Canyon University to Join Mountain West in 2026

The Mountain West has added three new schools after the Pac-12 poached five from the conference.
November 1, 2024

Olympic Sport College Coaches Hire Lobbyists Amid NCAA Upheaval

The NCAA and power conferences have spent millions on an effort to preserve amateurism.