From the Desk of AD Laird Veatch: A Will to Win
11/1/2024 8:45:00 AM | General
Laird Veatch visits with "Voice of the Tigers" Mike Kelly to discuss the rapidly evolving landscape of college athletics and what the coming changes will mean for Mizzou and Tiger fans
Dear Mizzou Family,
It has been so invigorating being back on campus with all of you this fall as we support our student-athletes and watch them compete on the most prominent stages in college sports. While our winter sports will just get rolling in the coming weeks, I want to take a moment to look towards the future and the rapidly evolving landscape of college athletics.
In particular, you have likely heard of the "House vs. NCAA" settlement that is working its way through the courts. While it is not yet finalized, all signs are that approval of the settlement will dramatically transform college athletics nationally.
below the SEC average in terms of total revenue generation
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Perhaps the most impactful aspect of the settlement is that it would allow athletics departments to share up to an estimated $20-22 million of annual revenues directly with student-athletes, starting in the 2025-26 academic year. Coupled with that, the settlement also includes the elimination of scholarship limits, allowing athletics departments to choose to fund millions of dollars in additional scholarships across sports.
So, what does this mean for Mizzou?
It means that we need to continue to be innovative as we navigate the most dramatic period of change in our history. I recognize that the last few years have been filled with one monumental change after another in college sports, which can be challenging to follow and, in some ways, frustrating to see. However, I greatly appreciate that we have embraced some of these changes as opportunities at Mizzou, and we are beginning to realize some of the competitive benefits of that approach.
Now, with "revenue sharing" on the horizon – which, of course, we will participate in at the highest levels – the reality is that the competitive stage of college athletics will be even more about resource investment to secure top-tier talent.
And while there is a lot that is still unclear, what is clear is that we must adapt to these changes with a relentless "Will to Win." We will need to make every evaluation and investment decision with a determination to achieve consistent, high-level competitive success at Mizzou. Because candidly, moving forward, our collective Will to Win is going to be measured by our will to invest.
Thanks to your support of our programs by donating, purchasing tickets and showing up at games, along with the commitment of our Board of Curators and University leadership, we have an opportunity to continue our momentum and position ourselves as a leader in this new model of college athletics. I firmly believe that.
It won't be easy. Change never is. But disruptive change in any industry creates space for brave and innovative movers to seize market-share and elevate their competitive position. Now is the time for us to collectively push harder than ever before to position Mizzou for sustained championship-level competitive success. I would love nothing more than to be alongside you as we experience the joy and benefits of consistently winning at the highest levels.
is less than half of the SEC average, contributing to a resource gap
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With that goal in mind, our athletics leadership team has been spending significant time over the past several months strategically analyzing all aspects of our operations, including our fundraising, sales and pricing structures, to proactively prepare for next year and beyond.
Throughout the coming weeks and months, we will be providing you with more detailed information about the strategic adjustments necessary to achieve our aspirational goals. We will be communicating directly with you through various mediums as we progress through the winter and into 2025. Please view this video message as I talk in more detail about much of what is written here.
For now, we ask that you keep an open mind to how we can embrace the next evolution of college athletics to benefit Mizzou and your beloved Tigers. Let's prepare to seize the opportunity and demonstrate to the nation that we have a true Will to Win!
M-I-Z!
