Mark Emmert announced plans to step down as NCAA president and college sports fans were thrilled

After 12 long and tumultuous years, Mark Emmert has announced his plans to step down as president of the NCAA, effective June 2023.

The college world was rocked by Tuesday’s news that Emmert plans to step down within the next 14 months. Though June 2023 is the latest Emmert is set to step down by, it very well could be sooner if the NCAA is able to hire a replacement before then.

“Throughout my tenure I’ve emphasized the need to focus on the experience and priorities of student-athletes,” Emmert said in the NCAA’s press release.  “I am extremely proud of the work of the Association over the last 12 years and especially pleased with the hard work and dedication of the national office staff here in Indianapolis.”

Emmert became the president of the NCAA in 2010 and has been a reviled figure in the college sports world ever since. His reign as NCAA president has been mired with controversy after controversy, with Emmert’s biggest sticking point being his insistence that college athletes should not be paid.

Of course, last summer the United States Supreme Court voted 9-0 in favor of collegiate athletes getting academic benefits and reimbursements. Plus, the NCAA eventually relented and allowed athletes to use — and get paid for — their name, image, and likeness in sponsorship deals.

Oh, and if you recall, Emmert also incorrectly said “Kansas City Jayhawks” in the 2022 NCAA college basketball tournament trophy presentation, to everyone’s chagrin.

College sports fans were overjoyed at the news that Emmert’s time as NCAA president is coming to an end.