College Sports Commission appoints bryan Seeley as CEO
Capital – May 9, 2024 – In a move that signals a significant shift, the college Sports Commission has appointed Bryan Seeley as its new CEO. The former MLB executive and assistant U.S. attorney will lead the newly formed commission, which will oversee the revenue-sharing system and the management of athlete compensation. This announcement comes after a major antitrust settlement, setting the stage for a new chapter in collegiate athletics and highlighting the importance of Seeley’s role, so read on.
college Sports Commission Appoints Bryan Seeley as CEO, Ushering in New Era of Enforcement
In a move signaling a significant shift in the landscape of collegiate athletics, the Power conferences have tapped Bryan Seeley, a seasoned executive from Major League Baseball (MLB) and former assistant U.S. attorney, to lead their newly established college Sports Commission (CSC). The appointment, finalized shortly after a federal judge approved a landmark $2.8 billion antitrust lawsuit settlement, underscores the urgency and importance of the commission’s mission.
The College Sports Commission: A New Era of Oversight
The College Sports Commission is slated to commence operations on July 1, with a primary focus on overseeing rules related to the revenue-sharing system emerging from the recent settlement. This system promises to reshape NCAA Division I athletics, and the CSC will play a crucial role in ensuring its fair and effective implementation.
Seeley’s Mandate: Enforcement and Integrity
As the commission’s chief executive officer, Seeley will be responsible for:
- Enforcing the revenue-share cap that schools must adhere to.
- Running the clearinghouse for name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals signed by athletes.
- Dishing out punishment to those who violate the rules.
Seeley expressed his enthusiasm for the role,stating:
I am honored to serve as the frist CEO of the College Sports Commission at this pivotal moment in the history of collegiate athletics. I look forward to implementing a system that prioritizes fairness,integrity,and prospect,while preserving the values that make college sports unique.I am energized by the work ahead and excited to begin building out our team.
Reporting Structure and Leadership Support
Seeley will report to a board comprised of the commissioners of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Big Ten, Big 12, and Southeastern Conference (SEC). His appointment is met with strong support from these conference leaders. Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti, who previously collaborated with Seeley in MLB, brings an added layer of familiarity and confidence to the partnership.
The commissioners issued a joint statement, emphasizing Seeley’s qualifications:
Bryan brings unwavering integrity and a wealth of relevant experience to his new role leading the College Sports Commission and working to ensure a smooth implementation of this new system.We’re grateful to have an individual with his credentials and expertise at the helm, and we look forward to his leadership as we transition into this new era of college sports.
Division of Responsibilities: NCAA vs. CSC
While the NCAA will continue to oversee eligibility and academic rules, the regulation of athlete compensation will fall under Seeley’s purview. His extensive experience at MLB, where he rose to executive vice president for legal and operations, positions him well to navigate the complexities of this new landscape. During his tenure at MLB, Seeley oversaw investigations, compliance, state government relations, and sports betting.
Seeley’s MLB Legacy: Investigations and Policy
Seeley’s track record at MLB includes leading the sign-stealing investigation that resulted in disciplinary action against the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox. He also oversaw inquiries into sexual assault allegations against former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer and Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco. These high-profile cases demonstrate his ability to handle sensitive and complex investigations.
Did You Know?
The Mitchell Report, which led to the creation of MLB’s department of Investigations, was commissioned in response to concerns about performance-enhancing drugs in baseball. It was conducted by former U.S. Sen. George J. Mitchell of Maine.
MLB’s Restructuring and Seeley’s Impact
Seeley’s departure represents a loss for MLB, though a successor is already in place. Moira Weinberg, MLB’s senior vice president for investigations, has been handling the day-to-day affairs of the league’s Department of Investigations in recent years. However, Seeley’s broader portfolio, which included sports gambling policy and COVID-19 pandemic operations, will require a more complete redistribution of responsibilities.
the Rationale Behind Seeley’s Appointment
MLB’s decision to establish the Department of Investigations, initially led by ex-cops, was later revisited to prioritize legal expertise. the shift towards lawyers was driven by the belief that they would bring a more buttoned-up and by-the-book approach, with the added benefit of attorney-client privilege. Furthermore, lawyers were deemed better equipped to handle the department’s overall workload, which often involves collaborating with other attorneys and prosecutors.
Replicating Success: The College Sports Commission’s Vision
Power conference leaders are aiming to replicate this prosperous structure with the College Sports Commission, specifically targeting candidates with backgrounds as judges and lawyers for the CEO position. This strategic approach reflects a desire for enhanced credibility and legal acumen in the enforcement of college sports regulations.
Addressing Enforcement Challenges in College sports
In recent years, NCAA enforcement has faced challenges, with schools increasingly pushing back against regulations, sometimes with the support of their state’s attorney general.The NCAA’s reliance on self-reporting and cooperation from member schools has also been a point of vulnerability.
The College Sports commission’s Enhanced Enforcement Capabilities
Conference leaders hope that the College Sports Commission will bring greater heft and investigative independence to enforcement. By requiring member schools to agree in writing to comply with CSC enforcement decisions, including the use of outside mediators, the commission aims to establish a more robust and effective regulatory framework.
Seeley’s Background: A Prosecutor’s Viewpoint
Seeley, the youngest candidate interviewed for the MLB position, brings a wealth of experience as a former federal prosecutor in Washington D.C. As 2010,he focused on white-collar cases and fraud investigations,including public corruption investigations involving bribery and kickbacks. This background provides him with a unique perspective and skill set that will be invaluable in his new role.
Pro Tip
Understanding the nuances of white-collar crime and fraud investigations is crucial for effective enforcement in collegiate athletics, where financial incentives and competitive pressures can create opportunities for misconduct.
Navigating Scrutiny and Serving the League’s Interests
Every major baseball scandal of the last decade would have crossed Seeley’s desk at some point,and the department itself sometimes took criticism in the process.Such as: Many fans believed MLB’s investigations into electronic sign-stealing were unsatisfying. But like every top job at the commissioner’s office, Seeley’s role existed ultimately to further the interests of MLB and the sport’s owners. sports leagues don’t typically court growing and widening scandals,they seek to quell them.
