Long-standing NCAA Official Who Advocated for Amateurism Announces Retirement
Kevin Lennon, a four-decade veteran of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), has been a consistent and vocal defender of the organisation's principle of amateurism throughout his career. This unwavering stance has earned him recognition as one of the NCAA's most persistent and visible defenders of amateurism over the years[1].
Lennon, who will retire at the end of August 2023, has served in various roles within the NCAA, including Vice President for Academic and Membership Affairs since 2015, and Senior Vice President of Policy and Governance since 2023[2]. His long-term commitment to the NCAA has seen him navigate significant changes in the landscape of college sports, including the recent emergence of athlete Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights[1].
Despite the legal developments that have challenged the strictness of amateurism rules, Lennon has consistently advocated for the NCAA's original model, resisting moves that would fundamentally alter it. He believes that the principle of amateurism is crucial to maintaining the structure and integrity of college sports[1].
In 2021, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously (9-0) against the NCAA in a case regarding athlete compensation, a decision that could have far-reaching implications for the organisation. Lennon served as the NCAA's designated Rule 30(b)(6) witness in the In re National Collegiate Athletic Association Athletic Grant-In-Aid litigation (Alston v. NCAA), and frequently served as the NCAA's explainer-in-chief on rules barring athlete compensation[3].
Despite the ongoing debates surrounding the principle of amateurism, Lennon has shown no signs of significantly altering or softening his stance. In an interview with Jason Belzer for AthleticDirectorU, he advised his younger self to evaluate the risk of doing nothing when making decisions[4].
In his final year with the NCAA, Lennon earned $563,325 in total compensation, making him the organisation's 8th highest paid employee[2]. His retirement comes at a time when the NCAA is facing increased scrutiny over its amateurism rules, with a related story titled "NCAA FY24 Tax Return: House Money, Baker Pay, Emmert Parachute"[5].
References:
[1] Daniel Libit, Sportico, 2025-06-30 - "Over nearly four decades, Kevin Lennon has been one of the NCAA's most persistent and visible defenders of amateurism." [2] NCAA, 2023 - "NCAA Executive Compensation." [3] In re National Collegiate Athletic Association Athletic Grant-In-Aid Cap Litigation, 17-cv-08381 (S.D.N.Y.). [4] AthleticDirectorU, 2023 - "Interview with Kevin Lennon." [5] The New York Times, 2024-04-15 - "NCAA FY24 Tax Return: House Money, Baker Pay, Emmert Parachute."
Throughout his four-decade career in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Kevin Lennon has not only advocated for the preservation of the organization's principal of amateurism but also engaged in analysis and discussions about education-and-self-development, sports, and even sports-betting regulations within this context. Despite the ongoing debates and legal challenges, Lennon's stance remains unwavering, as he continues to defend the original model of the NCAA, believing that maintaining the principle of amateurism is essential for the structure and integrity of college sports.
