Tagliabue Appointed to Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics

Tagliabue Appointed to Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics

January 27, 2016

WASHINGTON, DC - Covington’s Paul Tagliabue has been appointed to the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics. Arne Duncan, former U.S. Secretary of Education, and Anna Spangler Nelson, a member of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors, were also named to the commission.

The Knight Commission has played an influential and independent role since 1989 in shaping policies guiding college sports. Its reports have included key recommendations adopted by the NCAA, including stronger academic standards for athletes leading to improved graduation rates, presidential control of intercollegiate athletics, availability of multiyear athletic scholarships, and increased campus engagement and accountability.

Referring to the Commission’s three new members, William E. “Brit” Kirwan, its chairman said, “We welcome these extraordinary leaders to the Knight Commission. They hold strong views about the primacy of educational outcomes for college athletes and will make major contributions to our work.”

Since 2006, Mr. Tagliabue has been a member of the Georgetown University Board of Directors, serving as chair for six years. At Covington, he advises clients on organizational structure and governance and public policy issues. Before serving as NFL Commissioner from 1989 to 2006, Mr. Tagliabue played a major role at Covington in providing outside counsel to the League for many years as a Covington partner.