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Big Ten, SEC say they don't support Protect College Sports Act in current form
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- Big Ten, SEC say they don't support Protect College Sports Act in current form
The federal legislation that aims to provide a framework for college sports in the age of NIL deals and the transfer portal has hit a major obstacle.
Or, more accurately, two major obstacles.
In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, June 2, the Big Ten and SEC said they do not support the Protect College Sports Act as drafted due to "critical issues" it leaves "unresolved."
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"It does not meaningfully preempt the patchwork of state laws or provide the protections needed to make and enforce consistent rules, both essential to long-term stability in college athletics," the statement read . "It also shifts ongoing rule-making to Congress, limiting the ability to adapt quickly as the landscape evolves. Rather than reducing litigation, the bill likely expands it without offering clear alternatives for dispute resolution. Finally, the bill alters the House settlement revenue sharing framework in a way that may result in fewer student-athletes receiving direct revenue share payments."
The leagues added that they are "committed" to working with Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), the bill's co-sponsors, to "improve this legislation so that it can provide lasting stability for college athletics."
The public pushback from the two biggest, richest and most influential conferences in college athletics is a hit to the bipartisan legislation's viability in its current form. The comments come, however, at an opportune time. The bill is approaching the markup stage of the legislative process, when committee members can suggest and ultimately approve of changes to a bill.
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The statement was released one day before a hearing scheduled for Wednesday morning before members of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee. The list of witnesses scheduled to speak at the hearing include former Alabama football coach Nick Saban, Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua and Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould. The hearing comes only one week after the bill was first announced.
There are wrinkles to the legislation that could have raised concerns in the offices of Big Ten and SEC leadership, as well their member schools. For example, the bill prohibits the two conferences from expanding beyond their current membership and prevents them from merging to form a so-called "super league." There's also an option in the bill for FBS media rights to be pooled rather than done conference by conference, though that would be a purely voluntary move.
The legislation has support elsewhere in the broader college sports world, including in the Power Four conferences. On Sunday, May 31, the commissioners of the ACC, Big 12 and American sent letters to members of Congress in support of the bill.
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After the markup process, and with sufficient support, the bill would head to the floor of the Senate, where it would be up for debate and a vote. If it meets the 60-vote threshold, it would advance to the House of Representatives for another vote.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: SEC, Big Ten don't support Protect College Sports Act in current form
