In a letter to the NCAA, the Big Ten called for a “moratorium” on tampering-related investigations, On3’s Pete Nakos confirmed. The conference also called for other sweeping rules changes, declaring the current guidelines are “designed for a world that no longer exists,” according to a copy obtained by ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

In the letter, addressed to NCAA president Charlie Baker, the Big Ten argued the House settlement – which ushered in the revenue-sharing era in college athletics – has made current rules unworkable. As a result, enforcement is a challenge in the new landscape, and the conference called for an immediate pause on enforcement of NCAA bylaw 13.1.1.4. That rule prohibits schools from contacting athletes at another school without permission.

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By prohibiting “pre-portal communication,” the Big Ten argued, athletes are taking risks by entering the transfer portal in the first place. It’s part of issues the conference sees with the current structure in college athletics.

“The fundamental structural problem is this: the current framework has chosen to impose significant negative consequences on student-athletes who enter the transfer portal – loss of scholarships, NIL arrangements, facilities access, academic support, and relationships with coaches – while simultaneously prohibiting the pre-portal communication that would allow those student-athletes to determine whether risking those consequences is worthwhile,” the letter reads.

“These rules were not designed for a world in which student-athletes are compensated market participants making annual decisions with significant economic consequences. The collision between the old rules and the new reality is producing outcomes that harm the very population the rules were designed to protect.”

The Big Ten’s letter comes weeks after Ross Dellenger reported the NCAA has plans to crack down on tampering. The association sent a memo to schools late last month warning of “significant penalties” for violations.

Big Ten: College sports ‘under tremendous stress’

Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti was also one of the prominent figures in college athletics to attend last week’s “Saving College Sports” roundtable at the White House, led by President Donald Trump. More than 30 people were in attendance for the event, but Petitti was not one of those who spoke. Charlie Baker was there and answered questions from Trump and others.

Officials expressed concern at the state of the landscape, including about the transfer portal. Trump also said he’s planning another executive order related to college sports.

In addition to the proposed pause of NCAA bylaw 13.1.1.4, and the Big Ten said membership should work to figure out a new policy strategy “that fits the realities of today’s world,” according to the letter. The conference cited an adapt-or-die mindset necessary in the new landscape.

“The system of college sports is under tremendous stress, both internally and externally,” the letter read. “Systems adapt or they break. The moratorium is not an abdication of responsibility. It is the responsible course – the recognition that rules build for one era cannot govern another, and that the membership deserves the opportunity to build a framework suited to the world as it actually exists.

“The Big Ten is committed to quickly engaging in a deliberative process drawing on athletics administrators, compliance professionals, coaches, legal counsel, and other stakeholders from across the membership and will work to produce a comprehensive proposal. We believe this collaborative, membership-driven approach is the best path to a durable solution and need the NCAA’s support in this effort.”