NCAA president Charlie Baker distances himself from predecessor’s policies on trans athletes

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Former Massachusetts governor and current NCAA president Charlie Baker on Tuesday distanced himself from his predecessor’s policies related to transgender athletes competing in women’s sports during his testimony before a Senate committee.

Baker, who replaced former NCAA president Mark Emmert in March, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the future of college sports, specifically as it relates to Name, Image and Likeness (NIL).

From left, NCAA president Charlie Baker, Big Ten Conference commissioner Tony Petitti and University of Florida gymnast Trinity Thomas are sworn in to the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing titled "Name, Image, and Likeness, and the Future of College Sports," in the Hart Building in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

During his testimony, Baker was asked about the debate surrounding transgender athletes' participation in women’s sports, which became a contentious issue in 2021 with the emergence of University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas.   

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"I'm not going to defend what happened in 2022," Baker said in response to questions about the sports governing body’s current policy with regard to transgender athletes being allowed in women’s locker rooms.

"I wasn't there. I was still governor of the commonwealth. What I will say is, we have very specific rules and standards around the safety and security of all our student athletes, and anyone who hosts one of our national championships has to accept that they know what they are and then abide by