Future Issues in the Economic, Legal, and Sociocultural Sectors of the NCAA Division I FBS Intercollegiate Athletics Environment

摘要

This study forecasts future issues in NCAA Division I FBS intercollegiate athletics. The research design takes a mixed method approach, employing the Delphi technique as both the design and data collection method. Using this technique, an expert panel, consisting of 12 athletic directors and associate athletic directors from FBS institutions, was surveyed over three rounds to ascertain what issues are likely to occur over the next five to seven years and whether or not these issues will have a significant impact on the way intercollegiate athletics operates.;The purpose of this study was to assess the environment in which intercollegiate athletics is operating. Specifically, the economic, legal, and sociocultural sectors of the environment were examined. This assessment was then used to forecast how the granting of autonomy to the Power 5 conferences and the recent and current litigation facing the NCAA and its member institutions will affect these areas of the environment over the next five to seven years. Grounded in stakeholder theory, the aim of the study is to provide a tool to assist with strategic planning of stakeholder relationship management for athletic administrators at institutions that sponsor athletic programs in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Division I, Football Bowl Subdivision.;Results of the study revealed eight issues that were likely to occur over the next five to seven years. Four of these issues related to the economic sector of the environment, one related to the legal sector, and three related to the sociocultural. Further, 14 of the issues were rated by the expert panel as having a significant level of impact if they were to occur. Additionally, support for the convergent approach to stakeholder theory was found.;Recommendations are made based on the forecasts by the expert panel. The impact on stakeholder salience within intercollegiate athletics is also examined. Finally, limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.