College sports leaders, including Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman, ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, and Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark, discuss paying players and new revenue streams at CNBC’s Game Plan conference. Revenue sharing model in place, with schools allocating up to $20.5 million per year to pay players, expected to rise over the next decade.

Uncertainty remains over revenue allocation between sports and genders, with football driving revenue. Phillips and Ackerman highlight the need for new revenue streams to support paying student-athletes. Conferences are exploring partnerships with Wall Street for capital and resources, with ACC shifting to incentive-based TV revenue distribution based on viewership and performance.

Despite rising expenses, college sports are not in financial crisis, says Yormark. Schools understand the importance of investing in athletics, which drives their brands. Growth potential seen in new sports like women’s volleyball, drawing record TV audiences and sellout crowds. Conferences are considering changes to TV rights distribution but ruling out pooling rights across conferences.

Read more at CNBC: NCAA sports commissioners weigh revenue models, private equity