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to give certain universities more autonomy in governing major college sports is just a "minor move" for the association, said Gregg Easterbrook, columnist for ESPN.com and author of "The King of Sports: Football's Impact on America."

The NCAA is facing immense pressure to reform, Easterbrook told The Daily Circuit. "The big moves are yet to come," he said. 

3 key changes affecting schools in the five wealthiest athletics conferences:

Easterbrook said these rules do little to affect a major issue plaguing college sports: academics. 

"It's not the failure to pay players, it's the failure to graduate them that is the shame of college sports," he said. "A bachelor's diploma is worth more economically in terms of added lifetime earnings than players could receive under any possible pay scheme."

The University of Minnesota declined to comment on the new rules, referring The Daily Circuit instead to the Big Ten Conference. 

Big Ten Commissioner James Delaney gave the following statement: 

ESPN is set to make a "major announcement" in two weeks aimed at putting pressure on college sports to improve academics, Easterbrook said. He declined to offer further details.

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The change would allow the five biggest conferences - the Big 5 - to self-govern in areas such as scholarships, insurance and travel for athletes' families.

Easterbrook on NCAA vote: 'There's less there than meets the eye'

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