In January, NCAA President Mark Emmert signed a contract extension to keep him in that position for two more years, but, according to one report, things may have changed.
SportsByBrooks.com is reporting that Emmert may be leaving his post and could return to LSU, where he previously served as chancellor.
The report goes on to say that Emmert and representatives from the school have discussed combining the president and chancellor roles into one position, a job which Emmert could then fill.
Emmert has been serving as NCAA president for just over two years.
“I am grateful for the executive committee’s support during this critical period of time in intercollegiate athletics,” Emmert said in a statement at the time of his contract extension. “I look forward to continuing to work with presidents, commissioners, athletics directors, coaches and other leaders as we strengthen our service to student-athletes.”
After his tenure as chancellor at LSU in the early 2000s, he became the president of the University of Washington.
Over the past few months, public discourse has shifted toward two major issues facing the NCAA: conference realignment and the NCAA business model.
In November, the NCAA passed bylaw that allows conferences to add a stipend to a player’s scholarship, valued at up to $2,000. At the time, Emmert was adamant that the move was not a step in the direction of paying players.
Emmert is 59 years old and a graduate of the University of Washington.
UPDATE 7 June 2013, 2:03 p.m.
Joe Schad of ESPN.com is reporting that Mark Emmert has responded to the initial report, calling it “complete nonsense.” Of note, though, is the fact that Emmert has not commented on contact with LSU officials.
Daniel Martin is a writer and editor at JohnnyJungle.com, covering St. John’s. You can find him on Twitter:@DanielJMartin_