The Rise of Developmental Conferences in College Athletics and a parallel with Premier League soccer

Developmental Conferences: A New Reality

With NIL opportunities dominating the recruitment process, the talent disparity between Power 4 programs and smaller schools is becoming more apparent. Mid-major and smaller conference programs, once hotbeds for cultivating under-the-radar talent, are increasingly serving as developmental hubs. Players now use these programs to showcase their abilities before being poached by Power 4 teams offering larger NIL packages, superior facilities, and the promise of competing on the national stage.

Rulings like Diego Pavia's—which reinforce the ability for players to transfer and benefit from NIL deals without significant restrictions—have further fueled this trend. While these rulings empower student-athletes, they also leave smaller programs vulnerable. Coaches invest time and resources into developing players, only to lose them after one or two breakout seasons.

The Premier League Parallel

This dynamic mirrors the world of European soccer. In the English Premier League, top clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea often scout and recruit talent from smaller clubs, paying hefty transfer fees to secure these players. These fees compensate the smaller clubs for their role in developing the athlete and provide a financial safety net to reinvest in their teams.

Imagine a similar model in college athletics. If a Power 4 school wants to recruit a standout player from a mid-major program, they should compensate the original school. For example:

• A school like Alabama recruits a standout basketball player from a mid-major like Saint Mary’s. Under a transfer fee system, Alabama would pay Saint Mary’s for the player’s development.
• These funds could then be used by the smaller program to improve facilities, recruit new talent, or retain existing players.

Benefits of a Transfer Fee System

1. Fair Compensation for Development: Smaller programs deserve recognition for nurturing talent. A transfer fee system ensures their efforts are not in vain.
2. Redistribution of Wealth: Much like revenue sharing in professional leagues, this system could help balance the financial inequality between Power 4 schools and smaller programs.
3. Incentivizing Retention: Programs might work harder to keep players if they know their efforts will be financially rewarded if transfers occur.
4. Leveling the Playing Field: While Power 4 schools will always have an advantage, a transfer fee system provides smaller programs with resources to remain competitive.

Challenges and Criticisms

While the idea has merit, implementing such a system in college athletics is not without challenges:

• Legal Hurdles: The NCAA and individual conferences would need to navigate the complex web of NIL rules and amateurism to ensure compliance.
• Athlete Autonomy: Critics may argue that such a system commodifies players, reducing their freedom of choice.
• Program Disparity: Wealthier mid-major programs might still benefit more than smaller, resource-strapped schools.

A Necessary Evolution

College athletics is no longer a simple world of amateur sports. The NIL/Collective era, combined with the transfer portal, has introduced dynamics that mirror professional sports leagues. While empowering athletes to maximize their value, these changes also risk turning smaller programs into feeder systems for the Power 4 conferences.

A transfer fee system—modeled after the Premier League—could be a solution that benefits all parties. Athletes still gain the freedom to transfer and capitalize on their value, while smaller programs are compensated for their role in the developmental process. This approach ensures a fairer distribution of resources and preserves the competitive integrity of college athletics.

As the landscape continues to evolve, the NCAA and conferences must act decisively. If unchecked, the current system risks further widening the gap between haves and have-nots, threatening the foundation of college sports as we know it.