Florida AD Scott Stricklin Opens Up on Realignment, NIL, and What Revenue-Sharing Era Means for Gators and College Sports

As the college athletics landscape undergoes the most seismic shifts in a generation, Florida Gators Athletic Director Scott Stricklin isn’t just observing the changes—he’s leaning into them with clarity, perspective, and an understanding that the status quo is forever altered. In a candid discussion that touched on nearly every corner of modern college sports, Stricklin shared his thoughts on the dawn of the revenue-sharing era, NIL regulation, conference realignment, student-athlete welfare, and the future of the Florida Gators in a shifting power structure.

For Stricklin, the emergence of a revenue-sharing model is less a break from tradition and more an evolution of necessity. “We’ve seen this coming for a while,” he said. “The idea that college athletes are now recognized for their value in a billion-dollar industry is not just inevitable—it’s overdue. And now, it’s about managing that transition in a way that keeps college athletics strong, sustainable, and true to its mission.”

The revenue-sharing era officially began following court cases and collective bargaining breakthroughs that redefined how schools must treat athletes, particularly in the high-revenue sports of football and men’s and women’s basketball. Stricklin emphasized that while the specifics are still being ironed out at the national level, Florida is preparing to be proactive.

“We’re modeling different financial scenarios right now,” he explained. “We don’t know yet what exact percentage will be shared, how it’ll be allocated, or what Title IX implications will be enforced—but we do know it’s going to fundamentally change our budgeting, donor engagement, and expectations. We’re not afraid of that. We’re embracing it.”

When asked whether Florida is in a good place to handle these changes, Stricklin pointed to the school’s brand power, facilities, and continued investment in student-athlete success.

“I feel really good about where the University of Florida stands,” he said. “We’ve got an elite fan base, a national brand, and world-class academics to match our athletic prowess. But we’ll need to be smart. The days of just raising money for facilities are over—now we’re raising money to sustain our talent.”

That shift, Stricklin noted, also intersects with the rapidly growing name, image, and likeness (NIL) market. While NIL started as a free-for-all with little regulation, Stricklin sees a more organized—and possibly centralized—future.

“I do believe we’re moving toward a model where NIL will be part of a broader revenue-sharing agreement, one where the schools and athletes are partners,” he said. “But right now, it’s still messy. There’s no transparency. Some schools are operating in a gray area, and we need better governance if this is going to be sustainable for everyone.”

To that end, Stricklin supports the idea of a potential players’ union or athlete association that could bargain on behalf of student-athletes. “Look, if you’re sharing revenue, then there needs to be a collective agreement about what’s expected. That protects the schools, it protects the athletes, and it creates some boundaries.”

As for Florida’s NIL infrastructure, Stricklin praised the efforts of the Gator Collective and Gator Guard while acknowledging that the school must remain nimble. “We’ve built some strong support networks, but this market changes fast. What works one year may not work the next.”

On conference realignment, Stricklin was more cautious. The SEC, which has already added Texas and Oklahoma, continues to be a force in the college football arms race. While there’s been speculation about further expansion or even a move toward a “super league” of the top 30-40 programs nationally, Stricklin believes the SEC’s current position is powerful enough.

“The SEC is in a great spot,” he said. “Greg Sankey has done a phenomenal job. We’ve added two premier programs, and our strength as a conference is unmatched. I don’t think we need to expand just for the sake of expanding.”

He was less dismissive of the possibility that, down the road, college football’s highest echelon might break away from NCAA oversight altogether. “I think we’re trending toward a model where the top 40 or 50 programs—whatever the number is—have a more autonomous structure,” he said. “That might mean new governance. It might mean different postseason rules. But it’s clear that the model of 350 Division I schools trying to follow the same rules doesn’t work anymore.”

Still, Stricklin was adamant that any new structure must prioritize student-athletes. “At the end of the day, these are young people. They’re not just assets on a balance sheet,” he said. “We can’t forget why we’re here: to help them succeed, to educate them, and to prepare them for life after sports.”

One way Florida is staying ahead of the curve is through investment in mental health resources, academic services, and personal development. “We’ve doubled down on those areas,” Stricklin said. “With all the money and pressure now surrounding college sports, making sure our athletes are supported holistically has never been more important.”

Florida’s athletic director also touched on coaching salaries, donor involvement, and the shifting culture of college athletics. “It’s all connected,” he explained. “If you’re going to share revenue with athletes, that may mean less money for other areas. Donors will be asked to support direct compensation, not just buildings or programs. That’s a cultural shift for a lot of people.”

He continued: “We’ve had some donors say, ‘Why would I give to NIL or revenue sharing when I used to give to facilities?’ And our answer is: this is the facility now. Talent is the facility. Coaches are the facility. That’s where the game is being won.”

Stricklin also emphasized that not every sport will be impacted the same way. “Football and men’s basketball drive the revenue,” he said. “But we’re committed to offering a broad-based program. That’s part of Florida’s identity. We’re going to fight hard to maintain opportunities in non-revenue sports too.”

With legal and financial pressures mounting and change coming from every direction, Stricklin sees both challenge and opportunity.

“It’s easy to get overwhelmed,” he admitted. “But I also think this is an exciting time. We’re redefining what it means to be a student-athlete, a college fan, and a university athletic program. That doesn’t mean abandoning what made college sports great—it means evolving to protect it.”

As for what comes next, Stricklin was both thoughtful and realistic. “This isn’t a one-year fix. We’re talking about a transformation that’s going to take five to ten years to fully settle. There will be lawsuits, legislation, court rulings, collective bargaining. But I think we’re going to come out on the other side with a system that is more fair, more transparent, and more modern.”

And how will Florida continue to thrive in that environment?

“By being true to who we are,” he said. “We’re going to compete at the highest level. We’re going to recruit and retain great people. And we’re going to make sure the University of Florida remains a national leader, no matter how the game changes.”

In a world where athletic departments are no longer just about wins and losses but about compliance, compensation, and culture, Scott Stricklin stands as a leader equipped for the road ahead. And while the path may be uncertain, one thing is clear: Florida isn’t just reacting to the new era—it’s preparing to define it.