The association is currently “discussing the long-term sustainability of intercollegiate athletics,” an NCAA press release responding to the commission report^[11] said. The statement noted that college sports governance is determined by college presidents and chancellors.

“The nearly 1,100 presidents of NCAA schools have consistently sought to create the most effective and fair ways to support student athletes,” the statement said. “Discussions are focused on promoting the education, health and safety and fair treatment of college athletes. NCAA members within Division I have long sought to include a diverse representation of schools while supporting all student-athletes in similar ways.”

As for the CFP, the commission’s proposal would essentially take the place of the company that currently operates it. The college football championship structure, media rights and other operations are managed by staff members within the CFP Administration LLC^[12], and governed by the CFP Board of Managers, a group of 11 university presidents and chancellors, according to the CFP website. One Board of Managers member is Eric Barron, president of Pennsylvania State University, who signed on to the Knight Commission’s proposal for the FBS overhaul. Other college leaders hold both commission membership^[13] and leadership within a college athletic conference, such as Michael Crow, president of Arizona State University, who is part of the leadership group for the Pac-12 Conference.

Bill Hancock, executive director of the CFP, declined to comment on the commission’s recommendations.

“Our priority now is preparing for this year’s national championship,” he said in an emailed statement.

In order for the plan for the new entity to oversee the FBS to come to fruition, it will need approval from college leaders within the NCAA^[14]. As an advocacy organization, the Knight Commission has pushed for major college sports reform for several years but has struggled to actually^[15] prompt significant change.