On the same day the settlement was approved opening the door for college athletes to receive millions of dollars in revenue from schools, the head of the enforcement arm of college sports’ brave new world was selected.
Major League Baseball executive Bryan Seeley has been named the CEO of the newly formed College Sports Commission, with the move being made official Friday night.
Under the new system created by the $2.8 billion antitrust settlement, the CSC will serve a regulatory role similar to what the NCAA did under the amateur model, overseeing NIL contracts, determining when rules have been broken and handing out punishments to offenders.
Seeley was hired for the role by the commissioners of the Power Four conferences, as well as a group of athletic directors. He’ll report directly to the commissioners of the SEC, Big Ten, ACC and Big 12.
“Bryan brings unwavering integrity and a wealth of relevant experience to his new role leading the College Sports Commission and working to ensure a smooth implementation of this new system,” a joint statement from the Power Four commissioners said. “We’re grateful to have an individual with his credentials and expertise at the helm, and we look forward to his leadership as we transition into this new era of college sports.”
While Seeley will suddenly become one of the most powerful and influential people in college sports, he’s a relative unknown in college athletics, having not previously served as an athletic director or university president.
As he’s set to take over at the CSC, here’s a closer look at Seeley and his background:
Bryan Seeley career
Seeley steps into his new position at the College Sports Commission after an 11-year stint with Major League Baseball, where he most recently worked as the executive vice president, legal & operations.
As part of MLB commissioner Rob Manfred’s leadership team, Seeley oversaw investigations and enforced rules into hot-button issues legalized sports gambling. He led MLB’s probe into sign-stealing, which led to punishments for the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox. He also oversaw investigations into sexual assault allegations levied against former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer and Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco.
During part of his tenure with MLB, Seeley worked alongside Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti.
“Bryan is an exceptional choice to lead the College Sports Commission,” Manfred said in a statement. “During his time at MLB, Bryan demonstrated unparalleled integrity, a commitment to fairness, and the ability to navigate complex challenges with precision and care. I have no doubt he will bring the same level of excellence to the College Sports Commission. College sports will greatly benefit from Bryan’s expertise and vision.”
Seeley’s work with MLB was a continuation of an extensive law enforcement background.
Before leaving in 204, Seeley served for eight years as an assistant U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C. There, he prosecuted federal white-collar crime cases from 2010-14 and, before that, violent crime and property related cases in the D.C. Superior Court from 2006-10.
His stint in Washington also included a one-year temporary detail as counsel to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee from 2012-13.
Seeley has a bachelor’s degree from Princeton and a law degree from Harvard.
“I am honored to serve as the first CEO of the College Sports Commission at this pivotal moment in the history of collegiate athletics,” Seeley said in a statement. “I look forward to implementing a system that prioritizes fairness, integrity, and opportunity, while preserving the values that make college sports unique. I am energized by the work ahead and excited to begin building out our team.”
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