The Division I Administrative Committee on Wednesday introduced a proposal that would modify rules for commercial logos on student-athletes' equipment, uniforms and apparel for non-NCAA championship competition.
Under existing NCAA rules, the only commercial logo permitted on student-athletes' equipment or apparel during regular-season games is the logo of the equipment or apparel manufacturer.
If the proposal is ultimately adopted, schools could place two additional commercial logos on uniforms and pregame/postgame apparel during non-NCAA championship competition. Further, one additional commercial logo would be permitted on equipment used by student-athletes. The committee directed the playing rules committees and subcommittees to review the proposal and make sport-specific recommendations on national standards for placement of commercial logos.
"The committee's introduction of this proposal demonstrates the continued efforts by the NCAA to modernize rules where appropriate within Division I," said Josh Whitman, athletics director at Illinois and chair of the committee. "As we move into a new era of Division I athletics, in which student-athletes can receive unprecedented financial benefits and support from their schools, it is appropriate for NCAA members to identify and consider additional opportunities for schools to generate additional revenue to fully support those benefits."
Committee members will solicit feedback from NCAA schools in the coming months and may consider revisions to the proposal based on that feedback. A final proposal is expected to be considered for a final vote in January. If adopted in January, rules changes for apparel and equipment would be effective Aug. 1.
Additionally, the Administrative Committee directed sport playing rules committees and subcommittees to consider potential changes for sport-specific national standards for commercial trademarks or logos on playing surfaces and officials' uniforms during non-NCAA championship competition.
In January, the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel (which was later dissolved as part of the simplification of the Division I governance model) supported consistent guidelines for commercial logos on uniforms and playing surfaces.
The sport oversight committees are expected to discuss this topic in the coming months and are expected to finalize changes to be effective Aug. 1.
Football notification-of-transfer windows
The committee also approved changes to the proposed dates for the notification-of-transfer windows for the Football Bowl Subdivision and the Football Championship Subdivision, effective immediately.
Moving forward, Division I football student-athletes may enter the NCAA Transfer Portal during a 15-day period, from Jan. 2-16.
Additionally, the committee approved a change to the head coach departure exception that allows student-athletes to enter the Transfer Portal after a head coaching change. Football student-athletes will have a 15-day window beginning five calendar days after the hiring or public announcement of a new head coach. If the school does not hire or announce a new head coach after 30 days, a 15-day window would open on the 31st day, as long as the 31st day falls on or after Jan 3. The opportunity for a 15-day window would be open until June 30. The change is effective immediately.
The oversight committees initially had proposed a 10-day window for January. However, in response to feedback from student-athletes, the Administrative Committee directed the oversight committees to reconsider the duration of the window and the respective dates.
Transfer rules do not require student-athletes to transfer during the legislated windows. Rather, notification-of-transfer windows are just the permissible dates during which student-athletes can be entered into the portal. Entry into the Transfer Portal is a prerequisite for schools to initiate athletics recruiting conversations with student-athletes who are enrolled at other schools.
Renaming committee
The Administrative Committee also renamed itself and will be known moving forward as the Division I Cabinet. The name change is intended to be more reflective of the importance of this body's work and its sizeable impact on Division I governance overall.
