The NCAA announced Thursday that outgoing Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker will be the organization’s next president, taking over for Mark Emmert, who led the NCAA for 12 years.

Video Transcript

ROSS DELLENGER: The NCAA's hire of Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signals a renewed push for federal legislation to govern college athletics. Baker is set to take over as NCAA President in March and succeed Mark Emmert. Emmert announced his resignation in April after a 12-year reign.

Emmert was a staunch defender of the NCAA's outdated rules, yet was the man who oversaw the governing body's sudden shift to allow players to make money off their image rights. That shift came after state governments forced the NCAA's hand after years of its procrastination. In turn, the NCAA has asked for federal framework to govern how athletes can make money.

So far, Congress has shown an unwillingness to act on the NCAA's desires. By hiring Baker, the NCAA now has an experienced politician in its corner to push for federal legislation and put the onus on updated rules and regulations on Congress rather than the NCAA itself.