Mark Emmert: Public losing trust in NCAA after federal investigation

NCAA president Mark Emmert, citing polling numbers and talking about a federal investigation into criminal activity in college basketball, said Monday the public is losing confidence in his organization.

"The NCAA members, my staff and those schools have got to get our arms around it fast," Emmert said, according to ESPN, as he addressed the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics in Washington, D.C.

"I don't think this is some little blip that's going to go away over time. This is a real question of whether or not the universities and colleges, through the association, can manage their affairs.

"And I don't think anybody should take it lightly. I'm sure not."

Citing polling done by the NCAA in the past month, Emmert said 79 percent responded that major universities put money ahead of student-athletes, 69 percent considered big schools to be part of the problem not the solution, and 51 percent said they thought the NCAA is part of the problem, rather than the solution.

Confidence might be waning because of an FBI investigation into corruption and bribery in college basketball. Ten people, including four assistant coaches at Power Five Conference schools, were arrested on Sept. 26. The charges involve money that flows into the sport from agents, apparel companies and financial advisors.

"I believe strongly today that we cannot go into the next basketball season without seeing fundamental change in the way college basketball is operating," Emmert said. "The public doesn't have sufficient confidence in any of us. I'll take that on myself, too, in terms of our ability to solve these issues."

The NCAA has established a commission on college basketball, led by former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Meanwhile, the unprecedented FBI investigation into college athletics is still in its early stages.

"It's disgusting enough as it is," Emmert said via ESPN on the size of the scandal.

"And we ought to recognize that we own that. That's part of us. When we see a coach, an assistant coach, making $200,000-$300,000 per year, taking a $10,000 bribe to throw some kid under the bus by steering him and his family to an irreputable financial advisor, you've got to be just sick to your stomach."