Key Takeaways
- 83% of youth sports families rank expanding college roster opportunities as the top priority in NCAA reform, according to a new IMG Academy survey of 1,650+ families
- Only 14% cited athlete compensation as their primary concern, and just 4% prioritized the employee classification debate
- Nearly 23% of families are considering reclassifying or extending high school to improve their child’s chances at a college roster spot
- Among families targeting major conference football or basketball, 36% are weighing extended high school timelines
- IMG Academy’s #AddMoreAthletes initiative is pushing universities and policymakers to address the opportunity gap
Families Are Worried About Access, Not NIL
A new national survey from IMG Academy offers a clear signal: the majority of youth sports families are not focused on the NIL debate or the athlete-employee question dominating headlines. They want more roster spots.
The survey, which polled more than 1,650 families across the country, found that 83% of respondents believe expanding college roster opportunities for high school athletes should be the NCAA’s top priority. By comparison, 14% said athlete compensation was their primary concern, and only 4% pointed to the employee classification question.
Roster Pressure Is Already Changing Family Behavior
The concern is not theoretical. Nearly 23% of families surveyed said they are actively considering reclassifying or extending high school, whether through repeating a grade or pursuing a post-graduate year, to improve their child’s chances of landing a college roster spot.
That number climbs among families with major conference ambitions. Among those targeting Power conference football or basketball programs, 36% said they are weighing an extended high school timeline. Among families pursuing opportunities outside those top-tier programs, the number drops to 15%.
The Gap Between National Debate and Family Reality
The survey highlights a disconnect between the issues commanding attention in courtrooms, boardrooms, and on Capitol Hill and what most youth sports families actually care about. The national conversation around college athletics has centered largely on compensation models affecting a small number of athletes at a small number of schools.
Meanwhile, the cumulative effect of recent NCAA changes, including roster caps, the near-elimination of JV and developmental pathways, sport program cuts, coaches prioritizing transfer portal players over high school recruits, and extended eligibility rules, has narrowed the pipeline for incoming student-athletes.
Consistency Across Competitive Levels
The desire for roster expansion is not limited to families chasing scholarships at marquee programs. Among families targeting major conference football or basketball, 78% ranked roster expansion as their top priority. Among families outside that tier, 85% said the same.
The compensation question drew more interest from families in the major conference category (17%) than from those outside it (12%), but in both groups, roster access was the dominant concern by a wide margin.
Where the Conversation Goes From Here
IMG Academy has framed the issue through its #AddMoreAthletes initiative, which is focused on working with universities, policymakers, and college athletics leaders to explore solutions. The survey’s core finding is straightforward: the 75 million students and families in youth sports right now are asking for more opportunities to play in college, and that message is not yet reflected in the direction of NCAA reform.
Source: IMG Academy, March 9, 2026
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