In a rare act of bipartisanship, a senator from each side of the aisle joined to promote new legislation. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., promoted the Protect College Sports Act. They’re hoping a couple of high-profile college coaches will give the bill the boost it needs to make it out of Congress.
That would essentially create a national framework for college athletics, including setting federal rules for Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) compensation, transfers, eligibility and athlete protections while giving schools and conferences some antitrust protection.
“We have an incredibly diverse coalition that has come behind this bill,’ Cruz said. “Twenty-four conferences have endorsed this bill. The NBA, the NFL, Major League Baseball, National Hockey, have all endorsed this bill. The NBA Players Association and the NFL Players Association have endorsed this bill. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee has endorsed this bill.”
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The bill advanced out of the Senate Commerce Committee in June.
Among other things, it would also strengthen athlete health and scholarship protections. The proposal would also create a commission to study long-term reforms of college athletics.
“This is about reining in the bad practices that are happening in college sports today,” Cantwell said.
The two senators were joined by several collegiate athletes who explained why they support the bill.
“I believe the Protect College Sports Act is about giving student-athletes like me something we all deserve: security and a fair opportunity,” Kedrick Green, a football player at Howard University, said. “It protects our right to earn from our name, image, and likeness while putting safeguards in place so athletes aren’t taken advantage of.”
“This past year alone, over 12 Division I tennis and swim programs have been cut due to funding being diverted away from non-revenue-generating sports,” Sydney Wilson, a tennis player at Saint Mary’s, added. “Most student athletes don’t play for profit; they play to earn their degree, and they play to compete at the highest amateur level.”
The group was also joined by legendary college basketball coaches John Calipari of Arkansas and Mark Few of Gonzaga, who threw their support behind the bill.
“I think you can sense the desperation in everybody’s voices,” Few said. “We really, really need help, and we need it from Congress. This bill might not be perfect, but it’s far and away the best thing we got out there right now.”
There has been some opposition to this legislation as well.
Critics argue it may not protect athletes as strongly as it protects schools and conferences. They say it’s unclear if this will really safeguard women’s sports or distribute revenue evenly.
The biggest opponent has been Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.
“What we’re being asked to do is to basically allow colleges and conferences and the NCAA to illegally collude,” he told reporters.
With Congress back in session, the bill is expected to see a vote in the Senate sometime this month. It’s unclear if it has enough support to pass.
There is some support in the House as well.
President Donald Trump has voiced his support for it.