Division II Management Council approves review of commercial logo use

The Division II Management Council this week approved a recommendation to request feedback on whether legislation to amend the use of commercial logos is appropriate. The recommendation came from the Division II Legislation Committee.

The concept is intended to better reflect current operational realities while maintaining Division II's commitment to balance, consistency and the student-athlete experience.

Current legislation permits one manufacturer's label or trademark on athletics equipment and one manufacturer's label or trademark, as well as the name of the sole title sponsor of the competition, on uniforms and apparel. 

Under the concept, athletics equipment could bear one additional commercial or nonprofit trademark or logo in nonchampionship competition. Further, a Division II student-athlete's uniform and apparel, including pregame and postgame attire, could have two additional commercial or nonprofit logos in nonchampionships competition and one additional logo during a conference championship. (See chart below.)

"As with all of the decisions we make, our guiding principle is to keep the well-being of our student-athletes at the center. Our intent is to be timely and proactive rather than prescriptive," said Ben Cherry, Division II Management Council chair. "Division II institutions are navigating increased financial and sponsorship pressures, and this concept seeks to gather meaningful feedback before determining whether flexibility around logos could be expanded in a way that supports departments, respects conference autonomy and remains consistent with Division II values."

The feedback requested will help inform the discussion of the Legislation Committee on a potential change. 

Transfer window for Division II football

The council recommended that the Division II Executive Board adopt emergency legislation to establish a transfer window for football. The Division II transfer window would be based on the applicable transfer window for Division I football. Further, the recommendation would require that Division II football student-athletes be placed into the Transfer Portal by the school within two business days of their request, as opposed to seven consecutive calendar days. The council recommended a June 1 effective date. The Legislation Committee will review Transfer Portal data for all sports at its June 16-17 videoconference and determine whether legislated transfer windows in all other sports are appropriate.   

Academic requirements and eligibility updates

The council also approved, in concept, noncontroversial legislation to allow partial qualifiers in their initial year of enrollment at the certifying school — but not in their initial year of collegiate enrollment — to use the missed-term exception. If adopted in legislative form in July, the proposal would be effective immediately.

Budget and championship structure adjustments

To align with current cost projections, the council recommended the Executive Board amend the Division II long-range budget to reflect a 2% annual increase in travel expenses for championships, rather than the previous 5% increase. These funds would be reallocated to fund other championship priorities.

In championship-related actions, the council recommended changes to the Division II Men's and Women's Tennis Championships beginning in the 2027-28 academic year. The men's championship bracket would be reduced from 48 to 32 teams, consistent with the access ratio policy for team sports, and both the men's and women's championships would move to eight teams at the finals site. The new format will implement four super regions with two hosting sites per region and enhanced on-site administration support for the preliminary rounds. The recommendation requires Executive Board approval.

The council also approved enhanced technical specifications for the challenge review system used in the Division II Women's Volleyball Championship. Beginning with the 2027 championship, host sites must meet minimum camera, frame rate and video resolution standards for regional-round competitions.

Other items:

• NPI reseeding policy: The council approved a championships policy requiring sport committees that reseed teams advancing to a finals site — or, in football, the semifinals — to use an updated NCAA Power Index ranking that includes all postseason results to date, effective Sept. 1.
• Region challenge event: The council adopted noncontroversial legislation that will permit contests against any opponent that is considered in-region for championships selection, except for teams from the same conference, to be exempted as part of a region challenge event. The proposal is effective Aug. 1. 
• Size of manufacturer's or distributor's logos: The council approved, in concept, noncontroversial legislation increasing the permissible size of a manufacturer's or distributor's logo to 4 square inches on equipment, uniforms and apparel. If adopted in legislative form in July, the proposal would be effective Aug. 1.