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5 power conferences seek autonomy
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Sun Belt Conference commissioner Karl Benson, left, and Georgia Southern University president Brooks Keel wrap things up after a March 27, 2013, press conference. Georgia Southern announced a to move to the Sun Belt Conference in order to compete in football at the Football Bowl Subdivision level. Benson says that he supports greater autonomy for the five power FBS conferences the SEC, ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and PAC 12 as long as there is oversight, and that they "have mobilized, and rightfully so." - photo by SCOTT BRYANT/file
NEW YORK — The five power conferences of college sports want more flexibility in providing financial support to athletes. A major reason they lack that freedom in the first place is because other NCAA members have feared widening the wealthiest programs' competitive advantage. Now NCAA President Mark Emmert and the leaders of those behemoth leagues must convince schools with fewer resources that giving them greater autonomy is in the best interest of college athletics.