NAIA’s Perspective on the House Settlement: A Reminder That College Sports Is Bigger Than the Power 5
As college athletics hurtles toward a professionalized future shaped by NIL money, transfer freedom, and multimillion-dollar settlements like House v. NCAA, it’s easy to forget how few schools are actually operating in that world. According to the College Sports Commission, only about 310 schools - just 17% of the 1,800+ sponsoring intercollegiate athletics - opted into the House settlement.
That means more than 80% of American colleges, including every school in the NAIA, are living in a completely different ecosystem.
And yet, the national conversation rarely reflects that.
To help rebalance that dialogue, Dr. Rob Ramseyer, athletic director and VP of strategic expansion at Friends University (NAIA, Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference), offered a thoughtful and grounded perspective on what the House settlement - and the media buzz around it - means to schools like his. We’re using Dr. Ramseyer’s comments and the Extra Points Article linked below as a primary source for this article.
The 17% Is Driving 100% of the Headlines
There’s no denying that House v. NCAA is a monumental shift in the business model of college sports. Starting in 2025-26, Division I schools are allowed to share up to $20.5 million annually in revenue with athletes. But this historic change only applies to schools that opt in, and almost all of them are in the Power 4 or FBS.
NAIA schools? They’re watching from the sidelines, and that’s perfectly fine.
Ramseyer acknowledges the validity of the issues top programs face: NIL bidding wars, athlete mobility, inflated coaching contracts, and facilities arms races. However, at schools like Friends University, those issues just aren’t relevant, and the solutions don’t make sense for their model.
NAIA Schools Have Different Incentives - and Different Realities
At Friends, most student-athletes are paying part of their own tuition. Athletics is about growth and education, not profit.
Here’s how national debates look through their lens:
Transfers - NAIA schools already allow relatively open movement, and it hasn’t hurt retention. Friends has seen a nearly 5% increase in athlete retention post-COVID.
Pay-for-play - Doesn’t exist here. Most programs operate at break-even, and athletics serves as a means to enhance enrollment and community, not drive revenue.
NIL - Ramseyer supports it in principle. But in practice, the deals are modest. Think local business endorsements or small-scale social media campaigns.
Extended eligibility - Less of a concern. NAIA’s focus is still on four-year graduation, especially at a time when student debt is a national issue.
Instead of Imitating the Power 4, NAIA Schools Are Doubling Down on Their Mission
While high-major programs fight over roster caps and luxury locker rooms, NAIA schools are asking different questions:
How do we survive the demographic cliff (declining college-aged populations)?
How can we build sustainable, mission-aligned athletics models that support enrollment?
How do we offer a unique, differentiated experience that aligns with academics, internships, and community impact?
Friends University, for example, partners with major local employers like Koch Industries, Cargill, and Via Christi to offer meaningful career preparation. That’s a selling point for student-athletes, and one that has nothing to do with TV contracts or NIL collectives.
A Gentle Reminder: The Power 4 Is Not the Whole Story
Perhaps the most important takeaway from Ramseyer’s reflection is this: The future of college sports must include more than just the 17%. Media, policymakers, and fans need to remember that the vast majority of schools and athletes still participate for the love of the game, for the education, and for the doors it opens beyond competition.
Those athletes matter. Their schools matter. Their mission is valid.
As Ramseyer writes, “Our mission and that of most other smaller universities isn’t to copy the Power Four. It’s to educate, support and launch young people into the world. That’s where our focus is. That’s where our future is.”
Why This Perspective Matters Now
The House settlement and NIL reforms are going to reshape college sports, but they’ll do so unevenly. The schools that opted in are operating with massive budgets, institutional advantages, and legal exposure that make sense for their unique circumstances.
NAIA and other small colleges are not simply opting out of this system - they’re building a different one.
Not only that, they’re succeeding on their own terms. That deserves attention, investment, and respect. As we debate the future of college athletics, let’s not allow the noise from the 17% to drown out the purpose and potential of the other 83%.
