I probably should have titled this series (whether it actually becomes a series...) what I think should happen in 2025 with Title IX because I am not a policy wonk and predictions are not my forte.
Regardless, part I is about NIL and inspired by a National Review list (yes I am worried about how clicking on the link will affect my algorithm) of 5 wishes for higher ed in 2025.
Number 5 on the list is keep Title IX out of "collegiate sports money." Like the rest of the list, the exact meaning of this wish is unclear, but I will interpret it here as "let it be ok that men athletes get more in NIL than women athletes."
It could mean that Title IX should not apply to any aspect of collegiate sports budgeting, i.e. equitable distribution of money for recruiting, facilities, medical services, uniforms and equipment. And while I might have said in my head "that would be a losing battle," who the heck knows. One, most college athletics departments do some funky math and logistical gymnastics to justify their always larger men's athletics spending and 2) Sheila McMahon is slated to take over the Department of Education.
Regardless, my wish for 2025 is that there is significant movement toward order and transparency in this NIL mess. (I am not opposed to NIL in theory, but its implementation has been nightmarish for so many stakeholders.) I hope that the plethora of lawsuits by athletes alleging lack of payment and unfulfilled promises will reveal more about the operations of NIL collectives, their connection to boosters, and their connection to athletics administrators. And perhaps the look behind the curtain will also reveal just how skewed the money flow is in favor of men's athletics.
As a reminder, money from boosters is not an excuse for inequitable treatment. This has already been decided. A school cannot say "well the boosters paid for the spring break trip for the men's baseball team but we the institutions have no funds to provide a women's team a comparable experience/benefit." So it remains unclear to me how NIL has escaped the scrutiny. I mean I am not that obtuse; the rich are going rich anywhere they want to rich. But let's at least see this happening in real time with real effects this year.
Remind me again who's hurting women's sports??
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