WASHINGTON — On Dec. 5, NCAA president Charlie Baker unveiled a somewhat radical proposal to modernize the college athletics model in an unprecedented way, recommending direct pay to athletes and the creation of a new subdivision.
The college athletics world reacted to Project DI in a variety of ways. While a surprise to many, it was mostly met with fanfare for its progressive and bold approach. But some questioned both its rollout — few knew the intimate details — and its sustainability as a long-term solution for the industry’s primary issue: how to better compensate college athletes.