ETSU trustees hear athletics strategic plan as NIL settlement forces opt‑in decision by March 1

At its quarterly meeting, the East Tennessee State University Board of Trustees heard an overview of the Athletic Department’s strategic plan and the fiscal choices the department faces because of the NCAA v. House settlement.

Dr. Sanders, presenting the plan, told trustees that institutions must decide by March 1 whether to opt in to the settlement. "Institutions must decide whether they're going to opt in or opt out of this settlement," Sanders said. He said opting in would let institutions share revenue with student‑athletes through a clearinghouse administered by the NCAA but would also obligate schools to new costs.

The presentation summarized key elements of the settlement and the athletic plan. Sanders said the settlement requires $2.8 billion in damages to be paid over 10 years and estimated ETSU’s share of required payments as about $288,000 per year. He said opting in would remove existing scholarship caps (turning limits on scholarship dollars into caps on roster size) and require institutions to route revenue‑sharing and NIL (name, image and likeness) payments through a clearinghouse. "If you opt into the settlement, the institution will be able to...compensate student athletes for their name, image and likeness, or revenue share," Sanders said.

Sanders told trustees the settlement and other shifts in college athletics — transfer rules, inflation and conference realignments — create major budget pressures. He showed travel‑cost comparisons that illustrate rising expenses: a trip that cost $44,000 in an earlier year rose to $55,000 for a recent football trip, a roughly 24% increase. He also noted an 18% increase in ticket revenue this year, about $120,000, as one source of offsetting income.

The athletic strategic plan presented to the trustees groups priorities into six elements, with student‑athlete experience at the top. Sanders said the plan will also emphasize fiscal management, facilities consulting, organizational changes and entrepreneurial revenue generation. He said the department has retained a consultant to evaluate facilities, including the 1975 dome, and will finalize timelines and responsibilities after the settlement certification in April.

Trustees asked questions but did not take a board vote on the athletics plan or the settlement decision during the meeting. Sanders said the institution must choose whether to opt in or opt out by March 1 and that after the settlement certification on April 7 the department will begin implementing the strategic plan and allocating resources.

The presentation did not include a formal motion or board vote. Trustees were given time for questions after the briefing.