With promises of sweeping changes, the Power Four conferences have quietly drafted an agreement that would force schools to waive their right to sue, creating a new enforcement system that doesn’t even officially exist yet.
While this might sound like a step toward stability, critics aren’t convinced that college sports reform is truly here. In this mindset, The Athletic reporter Justin Williams took to social media to mock the entire process, calling it a masterclass in dysfunction.
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College sports are undergoing one of their most significant changes in its history. Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports reported that the Power Four conferences have drafted a contract that would bind schools to new rules and require them to waive their right to sue over decisions made by U.S. Pres. Trump’s upcoming college sports commission.
Reacting to this news, Justin Williams of The Athletic offered a sarcastic breakdown of the current state of college athletics.
So in college sports, we now have:
A drafted agreement, not yet official, that would prevent schools from suing…
A new, non-NCAA enforcement arm, which does not yet exist & contingent on…
The House settlement, which has not yet been approved…
Folks, things are going great. https://t.co/PEnEjtXuYn
— Justin Williams (@Williams_Justin) May 20, 2025
“So in college sports, we now have: a drafted agreement, not yet official, that would prevent schools from suing… a new, non-NCAA enforcement arm, which does not yet exist & contingent on… The House settlement, which has not yet been approved… Folks, things are going great,” he wrote.
The Power Four’s Affiliation or Membership Agreement is at the heart of the issue. This contract would prevent schools from suing over any proposed college sports commission decisions. If schools refuse to sign, they could be kicked out of their conferences or banned from competing.
However, the challenge is that the college sports commission has not been established yet. Many analysts have already disagreed with the idea, and even legendary former Alabama HC Nick Saban, rumored to be involved with the commission, has questioned whether it’s truly necessary.
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Despite this, schools are being asked to give up their legal rights for a system that has yet to be built, which has raised serious concerns among school leaders and legal experts.
Justin Williams’ tweet sums up the frustration perfectly. His sarcastic tone highlights just how unstable the entire situation feels.
In short, college sports are moving toward a brand-new form of leadership, but it feels more like a rushed experiment than a well-planned solution.
With the House v. NCAA settlement still awaiting final approval, this agreement adds another layer of uncertainty to an already fragile situation. Schools are left wondering whether this settlement is a genuine effort to stabilize college sports or just a way to dodge legal challenges.
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