What the Big 10 and SEC joint advisory group could mean for LSU football

A joint advisory group of university presidents, chancellors, and athletic directors from the Big 10 Conference and Southeastern Conference has formed to “address the significant challenges facing college athletics and the opportunities for betterment of the student-athlete experience.” According to the SEC’s press release, the group will specifically address challenges including “recent court decisions, pending litigation, a patchwork of state laws, and complex governance proposals.”

The joint advisory group’s desired outcomes are unknown, but I suspect it will involve advising both conferences to demand changes from the NCAA. I also think an ultimatum from the Big 10 and SEC will take shape in the near future. Such an ultimatum will have a significant effect on the future of LSU football.

Nevertheless, I have some ideas of what the Big 10/SEC joint advisory group will explore.

Name, Image, and Likeness Policies

I suspect the NIL policy is one of the most significant items on the advisory group’s agenda. Indeed, the policy change that allows college athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness has morphed into a volatile monster. Almost overnight, it felt as though student-athletes went from wearing caps and t-shirts supporting local businesses and podcasts to accepting hefty payouts from NIL collectives.

Recently, Florida State’s affiliation with their NIL collective was suspended after an NIL representative offered a Georgia football player $15k to transfer to the Seminoles. Florida is currently being investigated over claim that Jaden Rashada was offered a $13M NIL deal for his commitment to the Gators. Last week, Maryland head coach Mike Locksley stated that a third string running back on his roster demanded $100k to remain with the Terps.

Suffice it to say that the NIL policy in college football is out of control, thus leading the Big 10/SEC advisory group to explore potential regulation.