📌 Key Takeaways
- 81% of Americans say college athletes should be enrolled full-time and taking classes at their schools
- 30% support classifying revenue-sport athletes as employees; 36% oppose; 34% unsure
- 39% believe colleges haven’t provided enough opportunities for female athletes
- 74% support requiring college coaches to have credentials in athlete development and mental health
- 43% incorrectly believe the NCAA receives revenue from the College Football Playoff
🧠 Youth Sports Industry Takeaway
- Academic requirements remain a top public priority
- Coach credentialing has 74% public support
- Knowledge gaps exist about college sports governance
Survey Methodology and Context
The Elon University Poll and Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics surveyed 1,500 U.S. adults from July 7-11, 2025. The online survey, conducted by YouGov, has a margin of error of +/- 2.87%. The timing followed a June 6, 2025, court approval of a $2.8 billion antitrust settlement permitting Division I programs to share revenue with athletes for the first time.
The survey measured public opinion on athlete compensation, employment status, academic standards, gender equity, and governance structures in college athletics.
Academic Standards Draw Strongest Public Consensus
The survey found 81% of respondents consider it “extremely or very important” for college athletes to be enrolled as full-time students and taking classes. An identical 81% say graduating is extremely or very important. Among specific fan groups, these percentages increase: 88% of college football fans and 85% of college basketball fans prioritize full-time enrollment.
Additionally, 74% of all respondents support the existing NCAA rule requiring Division I teams to graduate at least half their athletes to maintain postseason eligibility. Among those very or moderately interested in college sports, support rises to 82%.
Former college athletes and their families show similar support levels: 87% say full-time enrollment is extremely or very important, and 83% say the same about graduation.
Public Remains Divided on Athlete Employment Classification
When asked whether Division I college athletes in revenue-generating sports should be considered employees of their schools, 36% said no, 30% said yes, and 34% were unsure. For all sports regardless of revenue generation, opposition increased: 43% no, 21% yes, 35% unsure.
Responses varied among different groups. Former college athletes and their families showed higher support for employee status in revenue sports (41% yes, 34% no, 25% unsure). College basketball fans were most supportive of universities negotiating with athletes like professional leagues do with players’ unions (57% support, 28% oppose, 15% unsure).
The survey also asked about multi-year contracts without employee status. Results showed 34% oppose, 26% support, and 40% unsure among all respondents.
Three-Quarters Support Coach Credentialing Requirements
The survey found 74% of Americans support requiring college sports coaches to have credentials certifying their knowledge in athlete development, mental health, physical health, and safety. Only 6% oppose such requirements, with 19% unsure.
Support increases among engaged groups: 79% of those very or moderately interested in college sports support credentialing, as do 80% of former college athletes and their families, 79% of college football fans, and 81% of college basketball fans.
“The results of this public opinion poll are a timely and invaluable resource to lawmakers and leaders in Division I athletics as they shape policies and legislation over the next several months,” said Len Elmore, co-chair of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics and former NBA player.
Gender Equity Opinions Show Continued Concerns
The survey asked whether colleges have gone far enough in providing equitable opportunities for female athletes compared to male athletes. Results showed:
- 39% say colleges have not gone far enough
- 27% say efforts have been about right
- 7% say efforts have gone too far
- 27% are unsure
Women respondents were more likely to say colleges haven’t done enough (45%) compared to men (33%). Men were more likely to say current efforts are about right (32% vs. 22% of women).
Name, Image, and Likeness Impact Draws Mixed Reactions
When asked about the overall impact of allowing Division I universities to provide direct payments to athletes for name, image, and likeness (NIL), responses varied:
- 31% view it as positive
- 21% view it as negative
- 21% view it as neither positive nor negative
- 26% are unsure
Among those very or moderately interested in college sports, 45% see direct NIL payments as positive, while 31% see them as negative.
Support for different forms of compensation varied:
- 74% support athletic scholarships covering tuition, meals, and housing
- 58% support NIL compensation from companies or advertisers
- 53% support university payments for NIL
- 46% support direct compensation from universities for playing sports
When asked about compensation limits, 24% believe athletes should receive nothing beyond scholarships, 13% support a $25,000 annual limit, 15% support $100,000, and 11% support no limit.
Public Shows Confusion About Sports Governance
The survey revealed knowledge gaps about college sports governance. When asked who should primarily regulate the business of college sports:
- 35% said the NCAA
- 25% said governing bodies that regulate specific sports
- 10% said athletics conferences
- 9% said state governments
- 6% said federal government
- 15% said none of these
Notably, 43% of respondents were unsure or incorrectly answered when asked how much money the NCAA receives from the College Football Playoff. The correct answer is $0, which only 3% selected.
Support for Non-Revenue Sports Remains Strong
The survey found 50% of all respondents believe it’s extremely or very important for NCAA Division I universities to offer varsity sports beyond revenue generators like football and basketball. Among those very or moderately interested in college sports, this rises to 77%.
Additionally, 52% of all respondents say college programs in Olympic sports are extremely or very important to Team USA’s Olympic success. The survey also revealed that 81% of Americans incorrectly believe the U.S. government provides direct funding for Team USA Olympic athlete development (it provides none).
Transfer Rules Generate Split Opinions
Current rules allowing college athletes to transfer between schools without penalty and be immediately eligible drew divided responses:
- 38% oppose
- 36% support
- 26% unsure
Among those very or moderately interested in college sports, the split narrows: 49% support, 43% oppose, 8% unsure.
Looking Ahead: What the Data Shows
The survey results, released August 6, 2025, come as Congress considers federal legislation on college sports. The proposed SCORE Act aims to codify that college athletes are not employees and create federal standards for NIL deals. The survey preceded both House committee votes on this legislation and President Trump’s July 24 “Saving College Sports” executive order.
“Americans show lots of uncertainty about the seismic shifts in Division I sports, but they are certain about two things: educational mission matters and athletic participation opportunities should not be limited to only revenue-producing sports,” said Amy Privette Perko, CEO of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics.
Jason Husser, director of the Elon University Poll, noted: “Many people who don’t follow college sports closely are still learning about the new environment and forming their opinions based on what they read and hear about these issues. That’s why we see much more definite views among college sports fans and more uncertainty among casual observers.”
The data shows Americans remain committed to the academic component of college athletics while expressing uncertainty about compensation structures and governance models. For youth sports organizations, these findings provide concrete data points about public expectations for athlete development pathways.
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