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“You know what? NCAA President Mark Emmert has done such a good job of making sure our student athletes receive fair treatment and proper care we should extend his contract for another four-plus years,” said no one.
Well, no one except for the NCAA Board of Governors which just did exactly that. And not only did they give Emmert a shiny new contract extension, the NCAA Board of Governors voted UNANIMOUSLY to do it.
Related: Paul Finebaum Calls NCAA President Mark Emmert A ‘Failure’ And Says He Should Be Fired
Some headlines addressing the news…
“The NCAA’s shame and embarrassment in extending Mark Emmert’s contract” – Yahoo Sports
“Opinion: NCAA has essentially made Mark Emmert king for life, and he hasn’t earned it.” – USA Today
“With Mark Emmert’s contract extension, the NCAA admits its stagnation is by design,” – The Athletic
Obviously, and with good reason, people are not happy.
In a press release sent out by the NCAA Tuesday night at 9:04 p.m., news of Emmert’s contract extension was all but buried, listed under “Other business.”
“Additionally, the board voted unanimously to extend NCAA President Mark Emmert’s contract to Dec. 31, 2025,” it read. That’s it. 16 words.
The NCAA buried a Mark Emmert contract extension in this release. Commissioners and ADs are going to be apoplectic. https://t.co/eBMhGpAahl pic.twitter.com/vhPuUXJgKX
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 28, 2021
The negative reactions weren’t only limited to the media or college sports fans, Yahoo Sports also spoke to several athletic directors, conference commisioners, and university presidents who were shocked and bewildered at the news.
“Stunning,” said one prominent athletic director. “And we wonder why there’s no credibility in college athletics.”
“Mark getting extended to 2025 might destroy this organization,” added another. “The board is delusional.”
“Brutal,” said a Division I conference commissioner. “There are simply no words.”
“Wow. I am befuddled,” said one university president.
https://twitter.com/NicoleAuerbach/status/1387213955945410561
Reactions on social media, where cooler heads always prevail, were even more savage.
Let’s call it what it truly is that keeps Emmert in charge of the NCAA:
A good ‘ol boys network. https://t.co/JVH1G9FdRq
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 28, 2021
Live look at Mark Emmert’s announcement party pic.twitter.com/tQe0Twfz7T
— Karen Howell (@karenehowell) April 28, 2021
The NCAA Board of Governors voting unanimously to extend Mark Emmert pic.twitter.com/4FVl6mLdQ4
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) April 28, 2021
at what point has he convinced anybody he is worth continued employment https://t.co/PlnX5ZJ13o
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) April 28, 2021
maybe Mark Emmert is incredibly strong and cannot be defeated in trial by combat
— Ryan Nanni (@celebrityhottub) April 28, 2021
These are the people who looked at the current state of things with the NCAA and said “Things are going great. We need more of that. Add more years to the contract.” pic.twitter.com/Hw8VCa0gqu
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) April 28, 2021
Ridiculous.