NCAA names Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker as new president

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker will be the next president of the NCAA, the NCAA announced in a press release. This was first reported by Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic.

Charlie Baker, a moderate Republican who chose not to run for re-election in 2022, will serve as governor until January 5, 2023. Now, he will assume the role of NCAA President on March 1, 2023. He will replace Mark Emmert, who has served in the role since 2010.

Charlie Baker will take over the NCAA at a tumultuous time for college sports, with changes like NIL changing the way college athletics are handled.

“We are excited to welcome Governor Charlie Baker to the NCAA and eager for him to begin his work with our organization,” said Linda Livingstone, President of Baylor University and Chair of the NCAA Board of Governors, who helmed the presidential search committee said in the press release.

“Governor Baker has shown a remarkable ability to bridge divides and build bipartisan consensus, taking on complex challenges in innovative and effective ways. As a former student-athlete himself, husband to a former college gymnast, and father to two former college football players, Governor Baker is deeply committed to our student-athletes and enhancing their collegiate experience. These skills and perspective will be invaluable as we work with policymakers to build a sustainable model for the future of college athletics.”

Reportedly, the NCAA considered several former governors. The idea was to have someone connected politically as it looks at building legislation around issues the sport is facing. In Governor Charlie Baker, that’s exactly what the NCAA found.

“I am honored to become the next president of the NCAA, an organization that impacts millions of families and countless communities across this country every day,” said Governor Baker. “The NCAA is confronting complex and significant challenges, but I am excited to get to work as the awesome opportunity college athletics provides to so many students is more than worth the challenge.”