NCAA plans convention to start reform process

The NCAA Board of Governors on Friday called for a constitutional convention in November, the first step toward launching dramatic reform in how the sprawling, multibillion-dollar enterprise of college sports is governed for years to come.

In the wake of a stinging loss in the Supreme Court and radical changes to the way athletes can be compensated — and with College Football Playoff expansion and major conference realignment already in motion — the NCAA said it wants to “reimagine” how it manages the needs of its more than 450,000 athletes.

“The goal is to make sure that we can align authority and responsibilities, get that right between campuses and the conferences and the national level,” NCAA president Mark Emmert said in a teleconference.

That begins with examining the NCAA’s very foundation, a sixarticle constitution that lays out the association’s purpose, principles and general policies. Action on proposed changes to the constitution is expected to be taken at the NCAA’s January convention. Why now?

“I think it’s really the shifting legal environment, the economic environment, the political environment, all of that, that creates this opportunity in a lot of ways to stop and erase the blackboard and draw a new chart again,” Emmert said.

OKLAHOMA, TEXAS ACCEPT INVITATIONS TO SEC>>Oklahoma and Texas accepted invitations to join the Southeastern Conference in July 2025, worried that their storied athletic programs were in danger of losing ground if they stayed in the Big 12.

A whirlwind week of official moves came to a conclusion when regents at both Texas and Oklahoma unanimously jumped at the chance to join the SEC.

NBA

KINGS ACQUIRE THOMPSON FROM CELTICS>>The

Sacramento Kings reportedly agreed to acquire center Tristan Thompson from the Boston Celtics in a threeteam trade involving the Atlanta Hawks. The Kings will send guard Delon Wright to Atlanta, and the Hawks will move guard Kris Dunn and center Bruno Fernando to Boston.

The Celtics also acquired guard Josh Richardson from Dallas in a separate deal. ANTETOKOUNMPO WON’T NEED SURGERY>>Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst said Giannis Antetokounmpo doesn’t need any type of offseason procedure for the left knee that the two-time MVP hyperextended during the team’s NBA title run. THUNDER ACQUIRE FAVOR, PICK FROM JAZZ>>The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired forward Derrick Favors and a future firstround pick from the Utah Jazz in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick and cash considerations.

NFL

COLTS QB WENTZ OUT INDEFINITELY>> Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz is reportedly out indefinitely after injuring his foot in practice

Thursday. He underwent further testing Friday to examine the injury, but the Colts do not expect his injury to be season-ending.

Wentz is in his first year in Indianapolis after the Colts acquired him this offseason from the Eagles for draft picks. SOME UNVACCINATED ALLOWED TO UNMASK>>The NFL is updating its COVID-19 protocols and no longer requiring participating unvaccinated players to wear masks during outdoor practice sessions.

In a memo to the 32 teams sent by the NFL Management Council, the league said that beginning with the stretching portion of the workout through the end of practice, such players now can work unmasked. Once the practice concludes, they must put on a mask.

The same will be true for practices in a team’s “bubble,” the indoor practice facility.

NHL

BRUINS’ KREJCI TO PLAY IN CZECH REPUBLIC>>David Krejci, 35, is leaving the Boston Bruins after 14 NHL seasons to continue his hockey career in his native Czech Republic.

Miscellany

U.S. IN GOLD CUP FINAL>>Gyasi Zardes scored in the 86th minute and the United States beat Qatar 1-0 in Austin, Texas, to reach the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

SORENSTAM KEEPS U.S. SENIOR WOMEN’S OPEN LEAD>> Annika Sorenstam shot a 3-under 69, to take a three-stroke lead in the U.S. Senior Women’s Open in Fairfield, Conn.

HILLIER, TALLY LEAD AT WORLD INVITATIONAL>> New Zealander Daniel Hillier shot a secondround 62 at Galgorm Castle to reach 11 under par for a onestroke lead at the halfway point in the World Invitational in Ballymena, Northern Ireland.

In the women’s event, American Emma Talley opened up a three-shot lead over compatriot Jennifer Kupcho and South Korea’s Chella Choi thanks to a second-round 65 at Massereene.