Waco, Texas — New rumors about the Baylor Bears have started to circulate while collegiate football is still reeling from a slew of recent NCAA and conference punishments imposed on elite teams like TCU, Texas A&M, and Penn State. Some insiders are starting to wonder: Could Baylor be next? This is due to increased NCAA scrutiny and growing demands for transparency at a time when Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals are the norm.
Several industry observers and insiders have noted mounting compliance concerns inside the Baylor athletic department, despite the fact that no formal investigation has been announced. The indications are alarming enough to garner national attention, ranging from doubts about booster involvement to ambiguous NIL operations and exceptionally quick recruiting success.
Waco Red Flags?
The recent revival of Baylor football, especially in the recruiting game, is at the heart of the escalating rumors. Over the last two cycles, the Bears have acquired a number of elite prospects, some of whom were thought to be near-locks for blue-blood institutions like Ohio State, Georgia, or Alabama. There are increasing worries about how those promises were obtained and whether NIL incentives were used improperly, according to a number of Big 12 sources.
Additionally, anonymous sources have suggested that a number of Baylor-affiliated booster collectives might be operating in a legal limbo by providing cash packages that might conflate NIL with pay-for-play, which is an NCAA-prohibited practice.
Although NIL deals are lawful in and of themselves, the way they are presented and conducted must adhere to stringent NCAA regulations. Texas A&M and Penn State have recently had to deal with the serious infractions that might result from a lack of institutional oversight or neglect to monitor these activities.
A History That Baylor Is Unable to Avoid
Baylor’s problematic past adds to the mistrust. After the football team was devastated by a sexual assault scandal in the mid-2010s, the university is still trying to rebuild its reputation around the country. Despite the implementation of cultural reforms and new leadership, others contend that institutional oversight is still lagging behind.
The institution was forced to examine its compliance procedures and athletic department culture as a result of the previous incident, but some are concerned that the push to regain national prominence may be driving them to take short cuts behind the scenes.
What Might Take Place?
There might be serious repercussions if the NCAA or Big 12 conducted a formal investigation and discovered infractions. Reductions of scholarships, postseason restrictions, penalties, and reputational harm that might affect donor confidence and recruiting are a few examples of sanctions. In a time when brand prestige and consistency are crucial for college football success, such setbacks might reverse years of rebuilding under the present coaching staff.
The Reaction of Baylor
Baylor Athletics issued the following succinct statement in reaction to recent rumors: “We maintain a strong commitment to NCAA compliance and the integrity of our programs.” We continue to be confident in our present procedures and carry out routine internal reviews.
That hasn’t stopped the rumors, though. As recruiting heats up and the Bears continue to rise in the national rankings, Baylor will continue to be closely watched as the NCAA takes a more active approach to enforcement and the Big 12 tries to preserve competitive balance.
Where there is smoke, there is always fire, according to history, and Waco might be the next to come under scrutiny.