In this episode of On Stage, NCAA President Charlie Baker sits down with SBJ Executive Editor and Publisher Abe Madkour for a candid conversation about the state of college athletics—and the future of the NCAA itself.

This conversation took place December 11, 2024, at the SBJ Intercollegiate Athletics Forum in Las Vegas, during a pivotal moment in Baker’s presidency. At the time, the industry was bracing for major shifts in governance, athlete compensation, and long-term sustainability.

Since then, the updates have continued at a rapid pace: the NCAA’s proposed House settlement, revenue-sharing discussions, and deeper questions around the power dynamics between conferences and national leadership have all been in the headlines. And yet, this conversation remains deeply relevant and provides important perspective from Baker.

Topics include:

• Reimagining the NCAA: How Baker sees the organization evolving amid pressure for reform.
• Conference Realignment & Governance: Balancing institutional autonomy with national cohesion.
• Student-Athlete Opportunity & Oversight: What’s working, what’s broken, and what’s at stake.
• Federal Legislation & Legal Strategy: Why Baker continues to call for Congressional involvement.
• Leadership in Transition: What it takes to guide an institution under pressure from every side.

In light of everything that’s happened since this conversation took place, Baker’s comments offer both a snapshot and a lens—a valuable perspective on how we got here, and where the NCAA might go next.

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