Stevens: "I am concerned private investors will influence decisions … pressuring universities to prioritize profits over education."
WASHINGTON, D.C. –ICYMI, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens is sounding the alarm as Michigan State University and other universities and collegiate sports conferences explore private investment models that could fundamentally reshape college athletics and university governance.
Earlier this month, Rep. Stevens and Rep. Baumgartner warned NCAA President Charlie Baker about the growing role of private equity and outside investors in college sports.
Here’s what Michiganders are reading about Haley preserving the integrity of college sports:
Detroit News: Outside investment in Michigan State sports raises oversight questions
Sarah Atwood
Jan 26, 2026
But some lawmakers are concerned about the developments in college athletics. U.S. Reps. Haley Stevens, D-Birmingham, and Michael Baumgartner, R-Washington State, sent a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker Jan. 15 regarding the rise of private equity and outside investment in college athletics.
"Allowing wealthy, profit-seeking firms to buy up critical university revenue streams represents a dangerous expansion of private equity influence over our nation's universities and college sports," the lawmakers wrote. "These deals threaten the integrity of university governance and the quality of college sports in ways that will have disastrous consequences for athletes, students, and fans."
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In an email to The News, Stevens said she was concerned about the impact of outside investment on university governance.
"These often ruthless firms are accountable to their wealthy investors, not students, faculty, alumni, or university communities, which puts them in direct conflict with the public-serving mission of nonprofit universities," said Stevens... "I am concerned private investors will influence decisions beyond athletics, potentially cutting non-revenue sports or pressuring universities to prioritize profits over education."
The congresswoman also pointed to the influence of wealthy donors over university leadership and the board, writing that "when hundreds of millions of dollars are at stake, there is a real risk that boards will feel pressure to prioritize wealthy investor interests over what is best for the institution.”
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