Sam Atkinson

Here’s my main concerns about this 2 semester model: Some schools will pay for two seasons. Some will drop the sport. The two-semester men’s soccer model does not add games. It adds a second operating season that not every budget can carry. Yes, the contest cap stays at 25. Playing days stay at 132. Fall max 18, spring max 10. College Cup moves to spring. If the 30-day rescission fails, it starts in 2027-28. • Spring travel is a new line item. Same game count, second set of flights, buses, hotels, and meals. • Staff cannot stay shared. Trainers, academics, and game-day crews are already tied to baseball, lacrosse, and softball. • Facilities get double-booked. More field time, more maintenance, more indoor rental in cold climates. • No new media money to cover it. Men’s soccer does not throw off football or basketball revenue. • Post-House v NCAA settlement budgets are already tight. Revenue sharing and bigger scholarship pools hit first. Power programs can absorb a second season but Mid-majors and smaller Division I schools often cannot. When the bill goes up and the revenue does not, men’s soccer is an easy cut. That’s my take based on my experience dealing with AD’s and administration