University of Georgia J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Josh Brooks sits down with ADU’s Jason Belzer at the 2025 NCAA Convention to reflect on the current inflection point within college athletics, including issues related to NIL, revenue sharing and the professionalization of the collegiate model. Throughout the changes and uncertainty, Brooks holds close to the core values of his department and remembers the importance of being nimble: “We’re not in a position to close any doors right now… we’ve got to keep all our options on the table.”
Brooks and Belzer also dive into how to assess talent in a more professionalized model, noting there will inevitably be a talent gap in both the administrative and coaching ranks, as well as the nuances of accepting private equity support, with Brooks cautioning: “You have to be careful what you’re signing up for. We do value broad-based programming; we value 21 sports at Georgia. We value being successful in those 21 sports. We value supporting over 500 student-athletes… it’s not just about the revenue-producing sports. When you go down that pathway, you don’t know what the next step is.”
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