Trump Backs Bipartisan College Sports Bill
A bipartisan bill in the Senate, aimed at reforming and supporting college sports, received a notable endorsement from President Trump on Thursday.
The president voiced his support for the College Sports Protection Act through social media, praising its sponsors, Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), and Chris Coons (D-Delaware).
He expressed concern, stating, “After endless lawsuits and insane verdicts, virtually no restrictions will be left, and many universities could go bankrupt, ultimately vanishing from our sports landscape. Women’s sports and the Olympics are particularly at risk of this damaging trend.”
“Without any rules, college sports are morphing into professional sports, which is not the desired outcome,” he noted. University leaders, commission heads, student-athletes, coaches, and athletic directors have all voiced to him that years of inaction have set the stage for disaster, with institutions losing hundreds of millions annually. “It’s like a freight train barreling ahead!”
According to reports, while the SCORE Act was once considered a potential solution, it ultimately faltered in the U.S. House of Representatives. Currently, the College Sports Protection Act, led by Senators Cruz and Cantwell, appears to be a renewed source of hope for those aiming for reform.
This legislation specifically targets key issues amplifying problems in college sports. Notably, the so-called “Lane Kiffin Rule” seeks to stop coaches from leaving mid-season and restricts the number of college transfers allowed for student-athletes.
The bill also gained momentum from respected college football coach Nick Saban, who informed the Senate Commerce Committee that the name, image, and likeness (NIL) framework has essentially created an “arms race” among programs.
“It’s become an arms race. The teams spending the most are winning,” Saban explained, adding that it’s concerning because neglecting to invest could result in losing fan support and revenue.
In a discussion with Paul Finebaum last month, Saban emphasized the broader implications for college athletics, saying, “It’s not just about football; we have other sports that are crucial for developing talent, including Olympians.” He pointed out that the U.S. uniquely trains athletes for the Olympics within its collegiate framework.
Saban cautioned that if there isn’t a proper balance between revenue-generating sports and those that don’t, participation in non-revenue sports could decline. He referenced recent cuts, like Arkansas dropping its tennis program, as something that should not happen.
However, two leading conferences, the SEC and Big Ten, have already criticized the bill as impractical, arguing it fails to address the inconsistencies in state laws or provide the necessary protections for effective regulations.
Despite the pushback, President Trump views this legislation as a vital attempt to bring order to what he deems an unmanageable situation in college sports.
He urged both chambers of Congress to unite and finalize a bipartisan bill that aligns with their viewpoints, and ideally be signed this summer. “We have to save college sports!” he declared.
