Baker: WVU to “Fully Participate” in Revenue Sharing
In a sweeping move set to redefine the financial landscape of collegiate athletics, West Virginia University (WVU) has committed to fully participating in the NCAA’s emergent revenue-sharing model, according to President Gordon Gee and Athletic Director Wren Baker. The decision positions WVU as a pioneering public university embracing a post-amateurism reality—one in which athletes are no longer just students but compensated contributors to a billion-dollar sports industry.
Wren Baker, in a packed press conference held inside the Milan Puskar Stadium’s team auditorium, addressed a sea of reporters and stakeholders with resolute clarity. “West Virginia University is prepared to fully participate in the upcoming revenue-sharing framework. We believe this is a necessary evolution—not just to remain competitive, but to lead responsibly,” he said, his voice firm, echoing through the hall.
Baker’s statement comes on the heels of the NCAA’s settlement in the House v. NCAA case, which opened the door for schools to distribute a portion of television, sponsorship, and postseason earnings directly to athletes. While private universities like USC and Notre Dame have signaled tentative support, WVU’s full-throated commitment marks a watershed moment for public institutions.
Under the model, schools will be permitted to share up to approximately $20 million annually with athletes across sports, although the exact structure remains flexible. Baker made it clear that WVU intends to hit the maximum cap. “We’re in. All in. Our student-athletes have elevated the WVU brand nationally. It’s time that the system values their work with real equity,” he emphasized.
According to internal documents obtained by the Daily Mountaineer, WVU has already established a working committee of compliance officers, financial experts, and athlete representatives to construct a transparent and equitable distribution system. A proposed model would see revenue shares scaled by sport, performance metrics, academic eligibility, and leadership contributions.
Football and men’s basketball are expected to receive the lion’s share due to their revenue generation, but Baker was adamant about inclusivity. “This isn’t just about stars. It’s about our divers, our sprinters, our wrestlers—every athlete who wears the Flying WV and commits to this university,” he stated.
The response among athletes was swift and electric. “This changes everything,” said senior linebacker DeShawn Hill. “It’s not just a scholarship anymore. It’s a future. It’s dignity.”
Critics have voiced concern over potential budgetary trade-offs, particularly in non-revenue sports and academic funding. But Gee and Baker jointly affirmed that no programs will be cut. Instead, WVU is pursuing expanded media rights deals and donor-based endowments to support the shift.
In Morgantown, the air feels different—charged with a sense of historical momentum. The Mountaineers aren’t just riding the wave of change. They’re steering it. As Baker put it in closing, “We’re not reacting. We’re redefining college athletics. And we’re proud that WVU is leading the way.”
