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Gonzaga University Athletics



Why are we reseating?

Since the McCarthey Athletic Center opened, we have not engaged in a reseat process in 21 years. The industry-standard in college athletics is to reseat the venue every 3-5 years. By contemporizing our model to include a regular reseat based on priority points every 5 years, we build a structure that provides transparency, predictability and is responsive to the needs and preferences of season ticket holders.  

We have mentioned in many communications the changing landscape in college athletics. These changes are impacting everything from governance, Division I membership requirements, and financial models to athlete experience, NIL, and fan engagement. Without adapting to the new realities of Division I athletics, the financial implications of these changes will threaten our ability to maintain a nationally competitive men’s basketball program.  Gonzaga Athletics must build a sustainable structure that supports our commitment to compete at the highest level of college basketball. We sought input through the Gonzaga Men’s Basketball Season Ticket Holder survey and were grateful for a 78% response rate and, considering the responses from the survey, we determined reseating was the most viable method of addressing these changing needs.


What is changing in college athletics?

Antitrust Litigation
The number of antitrust lawsuits against the NCAA and Division I members and the legal threats to the college model continue to grow by the day. One of the most substantial cases, House vs NCAA (House)involves former student-athletes and their rights to retroactive name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation. The proposed settlement avoids a potential $20B in damages to former student-athletes, which despite the revenue generated in the college sports industry, would decimate the NCAA, conferences, and intercollegiate athletics. The proposed settlement includes $2.7B to former student-athletes and is paid for by the NCAA, Power 5 conferences, and the remaining Division I conferences through reduced NCAA revenue distribution over the next 10 years. It also provides a new model for college sports, allowing student-athletes to receive direct payments from universities through revenue sharing beginning as early as 2025. The new model would also remove scholarship limits and move all sports to roster limits, significantly expanding the number of scholarships a school may offer. As an example, at Gonzaga, the number of permissible scholarships would more than double with no corresponding new funding source.
 
The House case is complex and the potential ramifications to the college athletics industry are significant. Find out more here: Business of college   |  SportsNCAASportico
 
Name, Image, Likeness (NIL)
In July 2021, the NCAA changed its decades long policy to allow student-athletes to use their NIL and “right to publicity” to earn compensation. This change quickly transformed the college athletics landscape, particularly as it relates to recruiting. While the rules and landscape continue to evolve rapidly, a robust NIL program and NIL collective are now an integral part of maintaining an elite Division I basketball program.

We are excited to partner with ZagsCollective to help our student-athlete connect with local businesses and nonprofit organizations to maximize their NIL and entrepreneurial interests. For more information on ZagsCollective, please email General Manager Derek Raivio at derekraivio@gmail.com.
 
Find out more about NIL here: Sportico, Business of College Sports, ZagsCollective
 

Division I membership requirements
As of August 1, 2024, the “Holistic Student-Athlete Model” becomes a Division I membership requirement. This model, now renamed to ‘Core Guarantees,’ requires all schools to provide increased support for student-athletes across all sports. These policies focus on enhancing student-athlete benefits and services, expanding scholarship protections, and raising expectations for Division I members.
 
Some of the ‘Core Guarantees’ requirements include:
  • Expanded health care and medical services for athletically-related injuries and illnesses, including student-athlete health insurance for two years beyond their eligibility.
  • Scholarship protections for student-athletes receiving athletically-related financial aid, regardless of their participation on or status with their team.
  • Expanded degree completion funding for qualified student-athletes.
  • Required staffing of full-time licensed mental health professional.
  • Enhanced academic services, career counseling, and life skills programming.
Aligned with our mission and values, Gonzaga wholeheartedly supports these initiatives, and we believe they are essential for student-athlete wellbeing and success in the classroom, in the community, and in competition. They also come with additional financial obligations without additional funding sources.
 
Find out more about the NCAA Core Guarantees here: NCAA, NCAA Transformation Committee
 

Student-athletes as potential employees
Recent National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rulings and lawsuits seek to classify student-athletes as employees of the institution, permitting unionization of teams, and requiring compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), including provision of an hourly wage and overtime pay.
 
The NLRB ruled in February 2024 that the Dartmouth men’s basketball team met the employment test and had a right to unionize, the ruling has been appealed and awaiting a final ruling. The Pac-12, USC, and NCAA are named in another ongoing NLRB case charged with unfair labor practices for misclassifying student-athletes as students and not as employees. Johnson vs NCAA is a federal case that alleges NCAA student-athletes are employees of their school who are bound by FLSA and state labor laws.
 
Find out more about the potential for student-athletes to be deemed employees here:
Lead1, Sportico, NCAA Denied appeal


I am concerned about the future of college athletics, what can I do?

Congressional intervention will be needed to secure the future of college athletics including opportunities for student-athletes to attend college and compete.  

Thirty states have introduced or passed laws regulating some aspect of college sports, and in this environment, it is impossible to provide a level playing field for college athletes, without federal intervention.

The Coalition for the Future of College Athletics represents conferences across Division I and II (including Power 4, Group of 5, West Coast Conference and others), organizations, and individuals, and they are focused on ensuring the viability and sustainability of college sports. The Coalition is working with members of Congress to create federal legislation that is fair and forward-looking. Click here to contact your local members of Congress and urge them to take action.