The big five conferences (ACC, SEC, B1G 10, BIG 12, PAC 12) and Notre Dame have been given more power from the NCAA. After years of debate, a compromise was finally reached to allow schools in these conferences to write many of their own rules.

This change would affect more than just the revenue sports, football and basketball. It will impact all sports and all student athletes. Student athletes would get a stipend beyond room, board and tuition (e.g. meals, insurance). This new reform strengthens the grip of the already-powerful big five conferences over the collegiate sports landscape. If the smaller conferences and indpendents don't follow suit, they risk being rendered obsolete in the recruiting process beginning in 2015, when student athletes become eligible for these extra perks. 

Who wins and who loses from this new reform?
Winners: The student athletes who will gain additional expense money during their college careers. This affords them the opportunity to leave college debt free and hit the ground running onto their career path. The power conferences are also winners, as they have been granted more leverage to wield their power by the NCAA.

Losers: The smaller conferences such as the MAC, Mountain West and Conference USA, which don't generate as much football/basketball revenue as the power conference and thus lack the resources to match bonuses for their athletes. While these smaller conferences are said to have the opportunity to vote to do the same, they are are not required to do so. Non-revenue sports could also be in trouble as there may not be enough money to go around

Possible effects on NCAA gymnastics? 
The SEC has been the dominant force in NCAA women's gymnastics over the last 10 years, and it is easy to assume it is now positioned to further extend the reach of its power. But the SEC has felt pressure from the Big 12 and PAC 12 in recent years, and this reform could change the dynamics within college gymnastics by affording the other power conference equal ability to pay their athletes.

It could also shift some power to the other big five conferences, such as the Big 10, where Michigan could potentially transform from an outside contender to a perennial NCAA title threat if it can use these new bonuses to lure talent north of SEC country. Other Big 10 programs could also emerge and rival the more-established Wolverines.  

The greatest affect will be seen on the recruiting trails, where prospective collegiate athletes could choose one university over another based on the bonuses/extra stipends, which obviously leaves schools in the smaller conferences at a disadvantage. 

This change could also affect men's gymnastics. If a conference becomes more powerful, it is possible to see men's programs in smaller conference become less successful over time, and potentially dropped by the university.

 

How do you see this reform changing NCAA gymnastics? Let us know in the comments below.