Power 5 commissioners propose more time off for athletes

Power Five conference commissioners want to change NCAA rules to give college athletes more time away from team activities, including no longer counting travel as an off day, a mandatory seven-day break after the season and an additional 14 off days from athletic activity during the academic year.

The agreement in concept was announced Thursday by the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and Southeastern Conference. The leagues said they believed they had found the “right balance” to help tens of thousands of athletes.

The conferences could vote to turn the proposals into NCAA bylaws next January.

College sports leaders have been looking into changes to ease the time demands on athletes for several years.