College Athletics Strategy Resource Center

As college athletics undergoes significant disruption, higher education leaders are confronted with an array of challenges, including the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agreements, conference realignment, and the rising costs of athletics programs. In this environment, senior leaders and athletics departments need to reassess their strategies to ensure sports offerings are aligned with institutional goals.

To help leaders navigate changes in the athletics landscape and maximize return on investment for athletics programs, EAB created the College Athletics Strategy Resource Center. Through curated resources, tools, and insights, we aim to empower institutions to adapt to the shifting dynamics of sports programming and budget management while ensuring the success and well-being of student-athletes. Explore our resources below based on your specific goals:

• Prioritize Sports Based on Contributions to Institutional Goals
• Enhance the Rigor of New Sport Planning and Launch
• Assess Feasibility and Readiness for Divisional Reclassification
• Develop Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Strategy

Prioritize Sports Based on Contributions to Institutional Goals

Data-driven decision-making is key to strategic athletics management. By collecting and monitoring key metrics that assess each sport's contributions to institutional success, colleges and universities can adopt a review process that emphasizes continuous improvement and helps prioritize sports for intervention. Our resources will help you understand the true ROI for sports programs, guide you through the review and revitalization process, and weigh the costs of college athletics.

Tool

Student-Athlete Net Revenue Contribution Calculator

This tool will help CBOs and athletic departments review and calculate student-athlete net revenue sports teams contribute to…

Strategic Advisory Services

Blog

Revitalize your athletics portfolio in a tumultuous landscape

Learn how to adapt the academic review process to foster a continuous improvement mindset in athletics and revitalize…

Higher Education Strategy Blog

Event

Recapturing the “Return on Athletics”

While the biggest disruptors like conference realignment and NIL impact some institutions more the others, no one is…

Get tailored guidance

EAB experts can facilitate a variety of presentations, workshops, and custom reports for your team. To discuss bringing EAB's insights to your campus for an in-person or virtual session, reach out to your Strategic Leader or [email protected].

• Benchmark your athletic costs and rosters

  Participate in our custom benchmarking report to compare sport-specific spending and roster size to peer schools in your athletic conference and division.

  Request a Report

• Revitalize your athletics programs

  EAB's "Recapturing the Return on Athletics" presentation outlines the program review and revitalization process and identifies tactics to ensure athletics aligns with overall institutional strategy.

  Schedule a Presentation

• Educate leaders on the value of athletics

  Our "Cost of Competition" workshop designed for cabinets and boards helps leaders evaluate their institution's return on athletics, in terms of both revenue and also contributions to mission and goals.

  Sign Up for the Workshop

Enhance the Rigor of New Sport Planning and Launch

To introduce new sports that align with institutional objectives, university leaders must identify mismatches between participation levels and team sponsorship trends, validate the demand for new sports in light of market shifts, and assess institutional readiness to effectively launch and support these programs. Use our playbook to ensure a strategic approach to new program planning and execution and meet the needs of student-athletes.

Tool

New Sport Launch Playbook

This playbook will help institutions ground proposals in market realities and embed demand validation in the new sport…

Strategic Advisory Services

Assess Feasibility and Readiness for Divisional Reclassification

Understanding the motivations and challenges surrounding athletic division reclassification is essential for senior university leaders, as it provides insight into the potential impacts on cost, revenue, and personnel outcomes observed in other reclassified institutions. Use our report to make informed decisions about division changes and strategically position your institution for success in an evolving athletics landscape.

Research Report

NCAA Divisional Reclassification

This report will help higher ed leaders assess whether NCAA divisional reclassification is a strategic move and, if…

Strategic Advisory Services

Develop Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Strategy

With recent changes to student-athlete compensation, higher education leaders should be rethinking NIL’s potential implications for enrollment, fundraising, and compliance. Our insights will help you strategically navigate NIL and compensation frameworks to ensure not only that your student-athletes feel supported, but also that your athletics programs remain financially and operationally sustainable.

Blog

4 conversations every president needs to have with their cabinet about name, image, and
likeness (NIL)

EAB has identified four student-athlete enrollment questions presidents should ask their teams when talking about name, image, and…

Higher Education Strategy Blog

Blog

3 possible student-athlete compensation models and what they mean for higher ed

Discover emerging student-athlete compensation models, learn how institutions will shift their athletic operations, and explore relevant news stories.

Higher Education Strategy Blog