In letter to the NCAA president, Stevens continues to warn against private equity in college sports

U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham) addresses residents in Detroit at the Durfee Innovation Society to unveil her policy agenda for Black and brown communities across Michigan as she continues her bid for the U.S. Senate. Jan. 16, 2026 | Photo by Ben Solis/Michigan Advance

U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens is continuing to raise concerns about private equity deals in college sports, reaching out to the President of the National College Athletics Association ahead of Monday’s college football playoff national  championship game for information on how to prevent college athletics programs from being sold to the highest bidder. 

The Birmingham Democrat joined U.S. Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-Wash.) in penning a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker, expressing their concern following several reports of NCAA member universities exploring deals with private equity firms, or companies whose stocks are not publicly traded. 

As part of their letter, Stevens and Baumgartner submitted a list of questions about the NCAA’s decision-making and enforcement mechanisms to prevent profit-seeking firms from buying up stakes in university athletics, requesting a response by Feb. 15. 

“College sports are a uniquely American tradition that have provided invaluable experiences for generations of college athletes, students, and fans,” Stevens and Baumgartner wrote. “As the people’s representatives, we have a responsibility to ensure that the integrity of universities and college sports is preserved for future generations of Americans, not sacrificed for short-term financial gain – especially where outside investors may gain leverage over decisions that should remain accountable to university communities.”

In November, Stevens sent a letter to Big Ten Conference Commissioner Tony Petitti following reports that the Big Ten was mulling selling 10% of its media rights to UC Investments, a group affiliated with the University of California system pension fund, for $2.4 billion.

The Big 12 Conference and the University of Utah are also reportedly looking at selling portions of their athletics revenue streams to outside investors, while the Southeastern Conference, the University of Notre Dame, and Florida State University have also reported outreach from private equity investors.

“Ceding control or meaningful governance rights tied to athletics revenues to entities that do not have to answer to students, faculty, staff, alumni, or local communities would erode the public-serving mission of universities and encourage increasingly profit-driven decision-making,” Stevens and Baumgartner wrote. “Private equity firms, principally concerned with maximizing their return on investment, have little incentive to protect or promote non-revenue sports, including those required under Title IX, that have provided a path to college and life-changing experiences for generations of college athletes.

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