Empowering Athletes: It's Time for Change via sportsbusinessjournal As college sports evolve, athletes are gaining more control over their experiences. However, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), created 35 years ago, no longer meets the needs of today's athletes. According to Sandy Barbour, Amy Huchthausen, and Piper Hampsch, it's time for athletes to demand true representation and a seat at the negotiating table. Current Challenges: SAAC reps are often chosen by coaches or athletic directors, not by the athletes themselves. This limits their influence and effectiveness. For instance, athletes from football and men's basketball are vastly underrepresented in SAAC. Future Opportunities: With new laws and settlements allowing schools to pay athletes, athletes need independent advocacy to ensure fair distribution of revenue and resources. A recent $2.8 billion settlement highlights the need for athletes to have a real voice in negotiations. Call to Action: Let's move bey...