College sports reform could advance in GOP-controlled Congress, with Sen. Ted Cruz as NCAA ally
4 months ago

College sports reform could advance in GOP-controlled Congress, with Sen. Ted Cruz as NCAA ally

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The NCAA’s yearslong efforts to get lawmakers to address myriad problems in college sports could finally pay off in the new, Republican-controlled Congress. “From the standpoint of the NCAA’s perspective, this is sort of an ideal scenario for them.” What’s at stake Cruz and others want to preserve at least parts of an amateur athlete model at the heart of college sports that has provided billions of dollars in scholarships and fueled decades of success by the United States at the Olympics. Bipartisan support key Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., the outgoing Commerce Committee chair, has been working to advance college sports reform since 2019 but struggled to build consensus on legislation. Prickly employment issue The NCAA’s chief goal — and one that seems achievable with Republicans in charge — is “preventing student-athletes from being forced into becoming employees of their schools,” Buckley said.

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History of this topic

Down a step from elite college football, officials pitch a model for a new sports landscape
9 months, 1 week ago

Down a step from elite college football, officials pitch a model for a new sports landscape

Associated Press  

Facing upheaval on the way in college athletics, a handful of administrators and athletes from smaller schools have been working on a new model of governance. It was a way to be proactive -- and potentially head off future lawsuits -- amid seismic changes across college sports that started even before the recent $2.77 billion settlement of antitrust claims agreed …

NCAA President Charlie Baker Talks 2.8B settlement and State of College Sports a year into the job.
10 months ago

NCAA President Charlie Baker Talks 2.8B settlement and State of College Sports a year into the job.

NPR  

NCAA President Charlie Baker Talks 2.8B settlement and State of College Sports a year into the job. But, you know, as somebody who's been around college sports for a very long time, there's still going to be a lot of young people who are going to be playing college sports at schools and on campuses and learning all the lessons …

Amid House settlement talks, NCAA’s Charlie Baker seeks ‘clarity’ for future of college sports
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Amid House settlement talks, NCAA’s Charlie Baker seeks ‘clarity’ for future of college sports

New York Times  

AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. — NCAA president Charlie Baker said Monday that he wouldn’t put a hard deadline on the organization’s decision to accept or reject a proposed settlement in House v. NCAA, a landmark lawsuit that is expected to fundamentally reshape the college sports business model. Baker said he came to the ACC’s spring meetings in Florida at commissioner Jim …

Republican congressmen introduce bill that would protect NCAA and conferences from legal attacks
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Republican congressmen introduce bill that would protect NCAA and conferences from legal attacks

Associated Press  

Two Republican congressmen introduced a bill Wednesday that would provide the NCAA, college conferences and member schools with federal protection from legal challenges that stand in the way of their ability to govern college sports. The Protect the Ball Act would give the NCAA protection from litigation and allow the association and conferences to regulate things like recruiting, eligibility standards …

Sen. Ted Cruz says there’s a 50-50 chance of Congress passing college sports legislation this year
1 year ago

Sen. Ted Cruz says there’s a 50-50 chance of Congress passing college sports legislation this year

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Sen. Ted Cruz said Tuesday there is a 50-50 chance of Congress passing legislation that would provide antitrust protection and regulation to college athletics in the U.S. by the end of the year. We just have not been able to get everyone to the table to sign off.” Cruz said something will eventually get done to standardize how …

NCAA president says Congress must act to preserve sports at colleges that can’t pay athletes
1 year, 1 month ago

NCAA president says Congress must act to preserve sports at colleges that can’t pay athletes

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — NCAA President Charlie Baker said Friday that action by Congress was needed to protect what he described as the “95 percent” of athletes whose ability to play college sports would be endangered by a court ruling or regulatory decision declaring them as employees of their schools. The NCAA said later in a statement that the ruling “will aggravate …

Federal judge blocks NCAA from enforcing NIL rules
1 year, 1 month ago

Federal judge blocks NCAA from enforcing NIL rules

New York Times  

A federal judge on Friday temporarily blocked the NCAA from enforcing its prohibitions against recruits signing monetary deals with booster groups, delivering a significant blow to the NCAA’s attempts to stop universities and their supporters from paying athletes to play at their schools. The notion of amateurism has long been a bedrock principle of the NCAA, but Judge Clifton L. …

NCAA takes step toward determining if new tier of Division I where athletes can be paid is possible
1 year, 2 months ago

NCAA takes step toward determining if new tier of Division I where athletes can be paid is possible

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — The NCAA on Thursday took the first step toward determining whether President Charlie Baker’s idea to create a new subdivision in which schools directly pay athletes can become a reality. And if having this conversation about a new model helps get us to the finish line, that’s important.” Republican members of Congress Cathy McMorris of Washington and Gus …

Why is the NCAA proposing a new subdivision? Explaining the related legal battles
1 year, 2 months ago

Why is the NCAA proposing a new subdivision? Explaining the related legal battles

New York Times  

In early December, Ohio attorney general Dave Yost fired off a zinger in a press release: “The ‘AA’ in NCAA might as well stand for ‘arbitrary and atrocious.’” The comment was directed at what the politician believed was an unlawful transfer rule by the NCAA, which requires non-graduate, multi-time transfer athletes to sit out a season of competition before being …

The NCAA is looking at how to get athletes paid. That likely won’t solve its legal headaches
1 year, 3 months ago

The NCAA is looking at how to get athletes paid. That likely won’t solve its legal headaches

Associated Press  

The legal challenges for the NCAA keep mounting. “The House case is already seeking a broadcast sharing with the student-athletes with respect to the value of their NIL,” said Jeffrey Kessler, a plaintiffs’ attorney and a veteran of lawsuits against the NCAA. “This case would also allow student-athletes, if we’re successful, to get broadcast revenues for their performance.” The NCAA …

Why the NCAA president is proposing some schools should be permitted to pay athletes
1 year, 3 months ago

Why the NCAA president is proposing some schools should be permitted to pay athletes

Associated Press  

LAS VEGAS — Schools paying athletes has been banned by the NCAA for decades, but a new proposal by the head of the largest college sports governing body in the United States is aimed at changing that. NCAA President Charlie Baker earlier this week sent a letter to Division I members suggesting the creation of a new subdivision in which …

Proposal to create new tier for big-money college sports is just a start, NCAA president says
1 year, 3 months ago

Proposal to create new tier for big-money college sports is just a start, NCAA president says

Associated Press  

LAS VEGAS — A day after NCAA President Charlie Baker made an aggressive and potentially groundbreaking pitch to allow some schools to pay their athletes, his proposal was met with praise, caution and questions from around college sports. “I think Charlie has indicated his intent for that to begin a discussion,” Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey said Wednesday during an …

What Ted Cruz Doesn’t Understand About College Sports
1 year, 5 months ago

What Ted Cruz Doesn’t Understand About College Sports

Slate  

Congress loves to hold hearings on the issue of how America’s universities might, in the future, pay their athletes. They always go exactly Sen. Ted Cruz feels there’s a 60 percent chance that Congress will soon pass a bill that governs how college athlete compensation works. But the mechanics of an NLRB ruling would not be to instantly turn all …

NCAA president shifts focus to employment status of college athletes during Senate hearing
1 year, 5 months ago

NCAA president shifts focus to employment status of college athletes during Senate hearing

Associated Press  

NCAA President Charlie Baker told federal lawmakers Tuesday that for college sports to modernize, the athletes must remain students. Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said inaction by Congress would lead to a series of rulings that declare college athletes employee — think labor pacts, revenue sharing and benefits all potentially in the mix — but without uniformity. “That for …

NCAA President Charlie Baker to testify during Senate hearing on college sports next week
1 year, 5 months ago

NCAA President Charlie Baker to testify during Senate hearing on college sports next week

Associated Press  

NCAA President Charlie Baker is expected to testify in front of a Senate committee next week during the 10th hearing on Capitol Hill over the last three years on college sports. The Senate Judiciary Committee announced it has scheduled a hearing on Name, Image and Likeness, and the Future of College Sports for next Tuesday. Baker, the former governor of …

NCAA moves toward implementing NIL rules with proposals for agent registry, deal disclosure
1 year, 5 months ago

NCAA moves toward implementing NIL rules with proposals for agent registry, deal disclosure

Associated Press  

INDIANAPOLIS — In a step toward putting rules in place to regulate the way college athletes can be compensated for their fame, the NCAA Division I Council introduced on Tuesday several proposals to bring transparency to the transactions and oversight of those who want to work with students. They include creation of a voluntary registry for NIL service providers, such …

Review of NCAA’s business pushes association to get creative in supporting schools, athletes
1 year, 7 months ago

Review of NCAA’s business pushes association to get creative in supporting schools, athletes

Associated Press  

On the same day the NCAA released the results of a business review encouraging the association to find creative ways to support its member, it announced Wednesday it was crafting detailed rules for name, image and likeness compensation and that all college athletes soon would be eligible for some injury insurance after they leave school. Echoing Baker’s NIL wish list, …

Manchin, Tuberville introduce college sports bill to standardize NIL rules, regulate collectives
1 year, 8 months ago

Manchin, Tuberville introduce college sports bill to standardize NIL rules, regulate collectives

Associated Press  

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! Joe Manchin and Tommy Tuberville introduced a college sports bill Tuesday that would require athletes to disclose how much they money make from name, image and likeness deals, regulate collectives and put restrictions on when players can transfer. Democrats Cory Booker and Richard Blumenthal, along with …

Manchin, Tuberville introduce college sports bill to standardize NIL rules, regulate collectives
1 year, 8 months ago

Manchin, Tuberville introduce college sports bill to standardize NIL rules, regulate collectives

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Joe Manchin and Tommy Tuberville …

Bipartisan trio of senators propose federal oversight of NIL compensation, athlete health care
1 year, 8 months ago

Bipartisan trio of senators propose federal oversight of NIL compensation, athlete health care

Associated Press  

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! A bipartisan group of senators is working on a college sports bill that would pre-empt state laws and create national regulations for name, image and likeness compensation to players, establish an entity to oversee enforcement of those rules and fund long-term health care for athletes. College …

Senators release draft of bill addressing NIL reform in college sports
1 year, 8 months ago

Senators release draft of bill addressing NIL reform in college sports

LA Times  

Sen. Cory Booker, seen at a February meeting on Capitol Hill, is a sponsor of the proposed College Athletes Protection & Compensation Act. Cory Booker, Richard Blumenthal and Jerry Moran would create the “College Athletics Corporation,” a non-government entity that would hold investigative and subpoena powers. “It would make college athletics fairer, safer, and more just, and empower more young …

Draft of new bipartisan NIL bill calls for central oversight entity to enforce rules
1 year, 8 months ago

Draft of new bipartisan NIL bill calls for central oversight entity to enforce rules

New York Times  

Senators Richard Blumenthal, Jerry Moran and Cory Booker on Thursday circulated a discussion draft of federal legislation they say would protect college athletes’ economic, health and educational rights. The bill proposes the formation of the College Athletics Corporation, a central oversight entity that would set, administer, and enforce rules and standards to protect athletes who enter into endorsement contracts. In …

NCAA made a ‘big mistake’ by not setting up framework for NIL compensation, new president says
1 year, 9 months ago

NCAA made a ‘big mistake’ by not setting up framework for NIL compensation, new president says

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — NCAA President Charlie Baker said Thursday he wants a federal law to regulate the way college athletes can be compensated for endorsement deals that creates a registry of deals, agent certification and uniform contract standards. “I think it was a big mistake by the NCAA not to do a framework around NIL when they had the opportunity to,” …

NIL Summit generates predictions of more dramatic changes on college landscape
1 year, 9 months ago

NIL Summit generates predictions of more dramatic changes on college landscape

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — Only days before a contingent of Southeastern Conference coaches and administrators will ask for federal help in regulating the expanding ability of college athletes to earn money while still in school, the second annual NIL Summit delivered predictions of more dramatic changes to the landscape of college sports. “The question then lends itself to will that spur federal …

The NCAA’s hopes to control NIL laws hinge on Congress. Will it get what it wants?
1 year, 9 months ago

The NCAA’s hopes to control NIL laws hinge on Congress. Will it get what it wants?

New York Times  

It’s been a busy few weeks for college athletics on Capitol Hill, where multiple drafts of potential federal legislation governing the name, image and likeness industry now sit at various stages within the two chambers of Congress. It’s not necessarily what any of us would have preferred four or five years ago, but it’s our current reality.” GO DEEPER Emerson: …

Congressional hearing targets ‘NIL chaos’ in college sports
2 years ago

Congressional hearing targets ‘NIL chaos’ in college sports

Associated Press  

A congressional hearing Wednesday targeting “NIL chaos” in college sports drifted into the ramifications of athletes being deemed employees of their schools and mostly highlighted those who support congressional intervention to protect the collegiate model. “In short, we must strike a delicate balance between the rights of college athletes to profit from their own NIL while keeping the amateur status …

New NCAA president says NIL rules could protect athletes
2 years ago

New NCAA president says NIL rules could protect athletes

Associated Press  

As Charlie Baker takes over as NCAA president, he brings a different way of thinking about one of the most important and polarizing issues in college athletics: regulating how student-athletes monetize their fame. “I hope Charlie Baker brings a fresh approach to the NCAA and advises that instead of lobbying Congress, the NCAA and its member colleges should work directly …

The NCAA has rallied around its main priority for 2023: Get help from Congress
2 years, 2 months ago

The NCAA has rallied around its main priority for 2023: Get help from Congress

New York Times  

SAN ANTONIO — The future of the collegiate model has never been more uncertain. So, we absolutely believe that it’s urgent, it’s essential and it’s something that we really need to lean into and make progress on in this legislative session.” She characterized the threat the NCAA is facing as “imminent.” “Several states are right now considering legislation that would …

With Charlie Baker, the NCAA is banking on a political path out of its troubles
2 years, 3 months ago

With Charlie Baker, the NCAA is banking on a political path out of its troubles

New York Times  

A sitting governor would, at just about any previous point in NCAA history, be considered an outside-of-the-box hire for the organization’s most public-facing role. “College sports is really at a crossroads,” said Baylor president Linda Livingstone, who chairs the NCAA’s Board of Governors, on Thursday. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously against the NCAA in June 2021 in a case related …

Think NIL blew up college sports? California is going for the knockout with new bill
2 years, 10 months ago

Think NIL blew up college sports? California is going for the knockout with new bill

LA Times  

Three years after California took the lead in the battle for college athlete rights as the first state to legalize name, image and likeness payments to players, another potentially game-changing bill is on the move through the state legislature in Sacramento. In contrast, Senate Bill 1401, named the “College Athlete Race and Gender Equity Act,” cuts right to the heart …

As leaders lobby, NCAA searches for ways to rein in boosters
2 years, 10 months ago

As leaders lobby, NCAA searches for ways to rein in boosters

Associated Press  

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! “As we have observed activity emerge that is very different from original ideas around Name, Image and Likeness, it is important we continue to pursue a national NIL structure to support the thousands of opportunities made available for young people through intercollegiate athletics programs across the …

Schools question whether the NCAA can enforce pay-for-play rules in NIL: ‘Is there going to be accountability?’
3 years ago

Schools question whether the NCAA can enforce pay-for-play rules in NIL: ‘Is there going to be accountability?’

New York Times  

The gray area wasn’t supposed to be this gray. “It’s made the NCAA very, very, very careful about implementing any further rules that restrict athlete compensation, whether that is from schools or from outside parties, like collectives,” said Mit Winter, an attorney for Kennyhertz Perry and former Division I college basketball player. But I think they’re going to exhaust every …

NCAA schools ratify new constitution, paving way to restructuring
3 years, 2 months ago

NCAA schools ratify new constitution, paving way to restructuring

LA Times  

NCAA member schools voted to ratify a new, pared-down constitution Thursday, paving the way for a decentralized approach to governing college sports that will hand more power to schools and conferences. NCAA President Mark Emmert said in his state of college sports address that the new constitution was more of a “declaration of independence” that will allow each of the …

With college sports in flux, NCAA set to overhaul itself
3 years, 7 months ago

With college sports in flux, NCAA set to overhaul itself

Associated Press  

The NCAA Board of Governors on Friday called for a constitutional convention in November, the first step toward launching dramatic reform in how the sprawling, multibillion-dollar enterprise of college sports is governed for years to come. In the wake of a stinging loss in the Supreme Court and radical changes to the way athletes can be compensated —- and with …

NCAA’s Emmert: It is time to decentralize college sports
3 years, 8 months ago

NCAA’s Emmert: It is time to decentralize college sports

Associated Press  

NCAA President Mark Emmert said Thursday the time is right to consider a decentralized and deregulated version of college sports, shifting power to conferences and campuses and reconsidering how schools are aligned. Emmert said the recent Supreme Court ruling against the NCAA along with the lifting of restrictions on athletes monetizing their fame should be a catalyst to “rethink” what …

NCAA’s NIL era arrives, some athletes are ready to cash in
3 years, 9 months ago

NCAA’s NIL era arrives, some athletes are ready to cash in

Associated Press  

Social media stardom came unexpectedly to Haley and Hanna Cavinder. “I’m going to do as much as I can on that first day and just kind of keep the train going,” said Pehlke, whose YouTube channel has more than 14,600 subscribers. “But I think right now it’s figuring out what I want to do and then drawing it out with …

Starting Thursday, college athletes can profit from endorsements, social media and other sources of income
3 years, 9 months ago

Starting Thursday, college athletes can profit from endorsements, social media and other sources of income

CNN  

CNN — Starting Thursday, college athletes will have the opportunity to make money from their name, image and likeness after the NCAA Board of Governors approved an interim policy that gives student-athletes in all three divisions the ability to profit from sponsorship opportunities for the first time. “This is an important day for college athletes since they all are now …

NCAA could seek once-radical solutions after high court loss
3 years, 9 months ago

NCAA could seek once-radical solutions after high court loss

Associated Press  

Embedded in Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s scathing rebuke of the NCAA and its rules were a few suggestions on how college sports can be reformed to avoid being sued into oblivion. Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey said the Supreme Court’s opinion in the Alston case provided “clarity.” “What also is clear is the need for continuing evaluation of the …

Conferences urge stopgap for NCAA on NIL until federal law
3 years, 9 months ago

Conferences urge stopgap for NCAA on NIL until federal law

Associated Press  

The NCAA is set to consider on Tuesday how to proceed with reforming rules that currently prohibit college athletes from earning money off their fame, the day after the association was dealt an emphatic loss by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in an athlete compensation case not related to NIL makes finding an NIL solution more complicated …

NCAA memo: Emmert urges schools to act on NIL or he will
3 years, 9 months ago

NCAA memo: Emmert urges schools to act on NIL or he will

Associated Press  

ROSEMONT, Ill. — NCAA President Mark Emmert told the association’s more than 1,100 member schools Friday that he will seek temporary rules as early as July to ensure all athletes can be compensated for their celebrity with a host of state laws looming and congressional efforts seemingly stalled. “By July, all our athletes should be provided NIL opportunities regardless of …

Lawmakers agree NCAA needs NIL help, but how much and when?
3 years, 9 months ago

Lawmakers agree NCAA needs NIL help, but how much and when?

Associated Press  

A federal law governing how college athletes can earn money off their fame and celebrity seems certain to pass — at some point. “There is broad consensus that Congress should pass a law that grants athletes NIL rights,” Sen. Roger Wicker said Wednesday during a hearing held by the Senate Commerce Committee. “To race to just an NIL bill and …

Democrats push bill allowing college athletes to organize
3 years, 10 months ago

Democrats push bill allowing college athletes to organize

Associated Press  

College athletes would have the right to organize and collectively bargain with schools and conferences under a bill introduced Thursday by Democrats in the House and Senate. The bill would amend the National Labor Relations Act to define college athletes who receive direct grant-in-aid from their schools as employees. His latest bill would upend the college model, helping athletes “get …

Both parties back bill for image rights for college athletes
3 years, 11 months ago

Both parties back bill for image rights for college athletes

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, a former Ohio State football player, reintroduced on Monday a bipartisan bill that would give college athletes the right to earn money through endorsements and sponsorship deals. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut introduced the College Athlete Bill of Rights, which would regulate college sports well beyond NIL compensation and …

Not NCAA Property: Players push for reform on social media
4 years ago

Not NCAA Property: Players push for reform on social media

Associated Press  

INDIANAPOLIS — Several prominent players at the March Madness basketball tournament took aim at the NCAA on social media Wednesday, demanding changes to how they are allowed to be compensated in the latest organized display of power by college athletes. “It’s become clear to even the biggest NCAA apologist that we are playing this tournament primarily to deliver content to …

NIL bill would allow college athletes to return from draft
4 years, 1 month ago

NIL bill would allow college athletes to return from draft

Associated Press  

The latest federal bill related to college sports would allow athletes to earn money from endorsements, loosen restrictions around transfers and permit players to return to school after entering a professional league’s draft. Most recently, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., introduced a bill narrowly focused on giving college athletes the right to earn money off their names, images and likenesses. Cory …

Latest bill would bar NCAA limits on athlete NIL rights
4 years, 1 month ago

Latest bill would bar NCAA limits on athlete NIL rights

Associated Press  

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy introduced a bill Thursday that would guarantee college athlete the right to earn money from endorsements and sponsorship deals while barring the NCAA, schools and conferences from imposing restrictions. The College Athlete Economic Freedom Act is the third piece of legislation related to name, image and likeness compensation for college athletes introduced in Congress since December …

NCAA, Power Five play defense with Dems controlling Congress
4 years, 2 months ago

NCAA, Power Five play defense with Dems controlling Congress

Associated Press  

The NCAA, the Power Five conferences and their $2 million platoon of lobbyists had a pretty good year on Capitol Hill in 2020. The bills now best positioned to advance would guarantee health care for college athletes and some form of revenue sharing, which critics describe as “pay for play.” Democrats pushing such legislation aren’t just motivated by giving athletes …

NCAA D1 Council holds off on athlete compensation, transfers
4 years, 2 months ago

NCAA D1 Council holds off on athlete compensation, transfers

Associated Press  

The NCAA delayed votes on legislation that would permit college athletes to cash in on their popularity for the first time and to transfer to another school without having to sit out one year. “Unfortunately, external factors require this pause, and the Council will use this time to enhance the proposals.” NCAA President Mark Emmert told The Associated Press on …

After DOJ warning, NCAA to delay vote on compensation rules
4 years, 2 months ago

After DOJ warning, NCAA to delay vote on compensation rules

Associated Press  

MIAMI — The NCAA is set to delay a potential landmark vote on legislation that would permit college athletes to be compensated for their fame for the first time after the association received a warning from the Department of Justice about potential antitrust violations. NCAA President Mark Emmert on Saturday emailed a letter to Makan Delrahim, assistant attorney general of …

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