The NFL’s Rooney Rule has renewed relevance in college athletics, where several universities in the SEC have yet to hire Black coaches for their main revenue-producing sports. Texas, which is preparing to join the conference, is among eight SEC schools confronting this representation shortfall. Observers are asking if an NCAA equivalent of the Rooney Rule could help address this disparity.

A federal judge has approved a landmark change in college sports, clearing the way for schools to begin paying their athletes millions as soon as next month. This decision marks arguably the biggest transformation in the history of college athletics, signaling a new era for the multibillion-dollar industry.