President Charlie Baker delivered his annual State of College Sports address at the 2026 NCAA Convention in the Washington, D.C., area, outlining major progress across college athletics and the challenges still facing the Association. In his third year leading the NCAA, Baker highlighted expanded benefits for student-athletes, including record-breaking participation, increased scholarships, and more than $1 billion in new direct financial benefits from schools. He also pointed to growth in championships, fiscal responsibility, and the NCAA’s evolving storytelling through media partners such as ESPN. President Baker addressed several critical issues impacting college sports, including eligibility-related lawsuits, transfer policies, and the growing influence of sports betting and prediction markets. He announced that the NCAA has petitioned the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to pause all college sports commodities offerings until they can be regulated under the same standards as...