SEC Media Days 2014: Mike Silve Discusses Power Five Autonomy, Makes No Mention of 'Division IV'
ByMike Silve, commissioner of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), knows change is coming to the NCAA and he wants autonomy for the "Power Five."
According to the Associated Press, Silve kicked off the SEC Media Days Monday by discussing the NCAA's impending proposal to grant the five power conferences more autonomy. Silve has repeatedly spoken publicly about wanting the NCAA to allow the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC to make their own rules.
"We are not deaf to the din of discontent across collegiate athletics that has dominated the news," Slive said during his news conference.
The last time Silve discussed this model of autonomy for the Power Five was the SEC summer meetings in June. He said the group of conferences would be prepared to leave the NCAA's Division I to form their own Division IV where they can create their own rules.
"There is some angst on the part of many, but I think many realize we're moving into the 21st century, things are different and expectations of student-athletes are different," Slive said, according to the AP. "I think when push comes to shove, it will pass."
The NCAA has also previously expressed interest in granting the Power Five more autonomy and the group's board of directors is set to vote on the model in August. Such changes are said to include offering scholarship student-athletes with more than jus the cost of attendance, such as travel accommodations for family members. Other provisions would include offering players long-term medical coverage and scholarships that do not end should a student-athlete leave early to turn pro.
Schools in the Power Five make more money than smaller Division I conferences and would have the funds to support these changes. However, the NCAA's perceived favoritism for the Power Five has irked some of the smaller schools.
Silve said he thinks the new model of autonomy could take effect fairly quickly if approved in Aug., the AP reported.
"The first item on the agenda would be the full cost of attendance - that's clear," he said. "Then we'll build from there."