The landscape of college athletics is changing at an unprecedented pace. Even when the NCAA attempts to intervene and establish boundaries, those efforts are often overturned in court — something West Virginia University has been directly involved in. But let’s be clear: the NCAA is no victim here. In many ways, it created the environment that led us to this point.
As a society, we have a tendency to overcorrect — a pattern we frequently see in politics. Rather than choosing balanced, common-sense solutions, we often swing dramatically in the opposite direction. The same applies to college athletics. Had the NCAA allowed athletes to be compensated by third parties — local car dealerships, restaurants, or businesses — we likely wouldn’t be in the chaotic “Wild West” era of NIL and the Transfer Portal that exists today.
So Where Does It All Go From Here?
It’s becoming increasingly clear that a college football “Super League” is inevitable. This breakaway league — likely governed by the College Football Playoff rather than the NCAA — is coming. The big questions are: when will it happen, and how many teams will be included?
Current projections suggest the Super League will include anywhere from 48 to 64 teams. While some speculate as many as 80, that seems unlikely. This Super League will probably resemble the NFL, consisting of two major conferences. Whether they retain the SEC and Big Ten names remains to be seen, but those conferences will likely form the foundation. The silver lining? A return to regionality in college football — history is cyclical, after all. These future divisions may carry the legacy names of today’s conferences (Big 12, Big East, Pac-12, etc.), restoring a sense of traditional rivalries and geographic identity.
Another major shift is the transformation of football programs into business units of their universities — something I’ve been predicting for a long time. In this model, football players become employees rather than students. Scholarships could still be offered, but they would apply after a player’s athletic career. In fact, this could be a net positive. Too often, players chase meaningless degrees or aren’t able to fully engage in academics while competing. Providing educational opportunities post-career might be the more honest and productive approach. Structuring football programs as separate entities could also alleviate Title IX concerns and potentially revive men’s sports that have been cut, such as wrestling.
With college football gone, the NCAA would likely pivot to focusing on Olympic and non-revenue sports. The next big question: will men’s basketball follow football’s lead and break away? A “March Madness Committee” could eventually replace the NCAA’s current oversight — but given how tightly the NCAA holds onto March Madness, that separation may be more complicated.
What Does This Mean for West Virginia?
First and foremost, WVU must do whatever it takes to get into the Super League. If it ends up being a 48-team league, West Virginia’s odds are slim. But if it expands to 64 teams, WVU absolutely has a shot.
WVU boasts a proud and storied history in college football. Currently, the Mountaineers rank 15th in all-time FBS wins. However, just like the stock market, history matters far less than future potential. That’s why investing in WVU athletics is more important than ever.
As fans, we have a responsibility:
- Attend games — win or lose.
- Stay engaged — especially in the student section.
- Support the team in every way possible.
Perception matters. How WVU appears on national TV impacts our place in the college football ecosystem. But above all else, we have to win. Rebuilding years are understandable, but starting next season, there are no more excuses. The time to build is over. The time to compete at the highest level is now.
The Super League is coming, whether we like it or not. Fighting it is pointless. We must embrace it — and most importantly, make sure we’re included. We may not like the changes happening in college football, but being on the outside looking in would be far worse.
Mountaineers, It’s Time to Fight
West Virginians have always thrived with our backs against the wall. We embrace the underdog role. This is our shot.
Let’s step up. Let’s show the country what Mountaineer grit looks like. Let’s go out there and FIGHT!
