The Future of College Sports: Could A Professional Model Save Sports like Track and Field from Extinction?
College track and field is currently experiencing unprecedented levels of talent and competition. Collegiate records are falling early in the season, and Olympians are returning to compete at the collegiate level. However, despite this golden era for the sport, it remains largely invisible in mainstream media. While college sports receive extensive coverage, the focus is almost entirely on football—with men’s basketball trailing behind. With major changes looming for revenue-driven sports, the future of track and field, along with many other non-revenue sports, is at risk.
The Blurred Line Between College and Professional Sports
Traditionally, the distinction between collegiate and professional athletes was clear: student-athletes were amateurs who received scholarships but no salaries, while professionals earned their living through competition. However, with the rise of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals and discussions surrounding revenue sharing, that line has become increasingly blurred. Many NCAA athletes now view themselves as professionals, despite lacking the structure and financial backing of true pro sports.
A perfect example is the 2024 NCAA outdoor championships, where seven of the men’s 100-meter finalists went on to compete in the Olympics. Talent-wise, the NCAA and pro track circuits are nearly identical, yet the financial disparities between them remain vast. The core issue isn’t just about fair pay—it’s about the sustainability of college sports as a whole.
The College Sports Funding Crisis
As the financial model of college athletics evolves, the harsh reality is setting in: sports that don’t generate revenue are at risk of being cut. Schools are already making tough decisions. Take Lindenwood University, a Division I school that recently eliminated its men’s track and field program. Despite previous assurances that all sports would remain intact, financial realities forced the university to make cuts—something that could become a trend across the country.
If non-revenue sports continue to struggle for funding, more teams will disappear. Track and field could be among the first to go, but it won’t be the last. Without a radical shift, the structure of college athletics as we know it may crumble, sport by sport.
A Professional Model for College Athletics
The only way to truly address this crisis? Treat college athletes as professionals and pay them accordingly. This model wouldn’t be limited to football and basketball—it would extend across all sports. Athletes would receive salaries, negotiate contracts, and enter free agency, just like professionals.
Key elements of this proposed model include:
Salaries Instead of Scholarships – Athletes would be paid, with portions of their salary covering tuition, room, and board.
Contracts and Free Agency – Instead of the NCAA’s transfer portal, athletes would sign contracts with clear terms. If they want to leave a school early, they (or another program) would need to buy out the contract.
No Salary Caps, Only Roster Limits – Schools could spend freely on athletes, similar to Major League Baseball, but roster sizes would be capped to maintain competitive balance.
Of course, the system wouldn’t be entirely equal. Football and basketball would still command the highest salaries, while track and field and other sports would operate on a much smaller scale. However, a structured payment model would ensure that all athletes, regardless of sport, receive compensation reflective of their value.
A Harsh Reality for Track and Field
Even under a professional model, track and field programs will still struggle for financial viability. Unlike football, which brings in billions in media rights and ticket sales, track and field simply doesn’t generate enough revenue to sustain itself independently. Athletes in these programs will likely have to accept minimum contracts, with only a few elite competitors earning significant deals.
That said, if the NCAA embraces a professional model, track and field programs would at least have a clearer role within the college sports landscape. The sport might have to adapt—perhaps by restructuring how meets are organized, focusing more on marketability, or aligning more closely with professional circuits like the Diamond League.
Conclusion: Adapt or Disappear
College track and field, along with many other non-revenue sports, is at a crossroads. The NCAA’s evolving financial structure, NIL deals, and revenue-sharing debates are forcing a reckoning across all collegiate athletics. If schools fail to adapt, track and field teams—and many other sports—will disappear from campuses altogether.
The solution may be controversial, but it’s becoming increasingly clear: a professional model for college sports is the future. Athletes are already competing at a professional level, so it’s time to treat them accordingly. It won’t be perfect, and it won’t be entirely fair, but if college track and field is to survive, embracing this shift is the only way forward.
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