Baker, previously the Governor of Massachusetts, was appointed in December to replace Mark Emmert.

He comes in during a period of change for the NCAA, particularly over the compensation of athletes.

College stars have traditionally not been allowed to make money in the United States, despite sports such as basketball and American football bringing in billions of dollars.

The NCAA has relaxed its rules following a United States Supreme Court ruling which backed athletes' compensation rights.

Several states have also passed legislation which allows college athletes to make money from their name, image and likeness.

A new constitution was adopted by the NCAA which still bans pay for play, but does permit other benefits.

However, the organisation now faces a difficult "patchwork" of state laws which are different from each other, and would prefer federal legislation to cover everything.

Sixty-six-year-old Baker, a former college basketball player and Harvard University graduate, will likely be well poised to lobby for this given his extensive political background.

A member of the Republican Party, he came to the end of his eight-year term as governor in January.

According to USA Today, Baker will not relocate to Indianapolis to work at the NCAA headquarters. 

This could be because he will spend a lot of time with lawmakers in Washington D.C, to try and confirm the federal bill.

Emmert announced in April that he would be stepping down as President after 12 years in the role, despite just signing a new contract until 2025. 

He had fought to try and keep college sport's amateurism model.