“Save College Athletics” … a new development

August 7, 2026 -

The “Save College Athletic” Act has hit a major roadblock and it may be good.

Five-Year Forced Independence:

There are two provisions in the act that are drawing opposition across the country. The first is a five-year waiting period if a current Power Four school wants to move to another Power Four conference. That school must remain an “independent” for five years. That means they will have no revenue from conference media rights and no clear path to national championships. Such an provision would be almost impossible for any university athletic department to survive.

However, Rep Moody (D-Florida) has proposed an amendment that would allow any current Power Four school to withdraw from their current conference within a set number of days of the act becoming federal law. That means any schools wanting to leave their current conference must be ready with a landing spot before the bill becomes law.

Conference Membership Cap:

A second roadblock is a conference membership cap of 19 schools. This provision is nothing more than a block on conference expansion by the SEC and Big Ten. An odd number of schools would also result in massive scheduling problems. The BigTen already has 18 schools. The SEC has 16 schools. That means there would only be three possible openings in the Power Two. Both the Big Ten and SEC want to maintain the status quo for financial reasons.

Miami’s options?

Is Miami one of those schools who would want to leave their current conference? If so, which conference would likely be the Canes landing spot? Or would Miami choose to stay in the ACC?

BOTTOM LINE:

Miami president Joe E recently stated Miami will be there to compete at the highest level. It will be interesting to watch how all this plays out.

GO CANES!