Harper: Time for a conservative fix to college sports
In the ongoing debate surrounding the future of college sports, two contrasting legislative proposals have emerged: the SCORE Act and the SAFE Act. The SCORE Act, championed by Republicans, aims to establish a national standard for name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights for student-athletes, addressing the current chaos resulting from inconsistent state laws. This bipartisan initiative seeks to protect the integrity and independence of college athletics, ensuring that young athletes can compete without the looming threat of exploitation by third-party entities. By preventing college athletes from being classified as employees, the SCORE Act not only maintains the focus on education and competition but also safeguards non-revenue sports from potential funding cuts. The bill has garnered support from some Democratic lawmakers, highlighting its potential as a unifying solution to stabilize college sports amidst growing concerns over liberal ideologies infiltrating this cherished aspect of American culture.
In stark contrast, the SAFE Act proposes a more government-centric approach that critics argue could undermine the autonomy of college athletics. This bill opens the door for federal oversight of collegiate sports, particularly concerning media agreements, which could lead to increased bureaucracy and red tape. Critics, including student-athletes like University of North Florida swimmer Ashley Cozad, warn that transitioning to an employment model for athletes would decimate opportunities for many, as most institutions lack the financial resources to support such a structure. The SAFE Act’s reliance on federal intervention is seen as a threat to the core values of college sports—resilience, teamwork, and fairness—by potentially injecting progressive ideologies into the governance of athletics.
As the debate unfolds, it is crucial for Congress to consider the implications of these bills carefully. The SCORE Act presents a path forward that not only preserves the traditions of college sports but also ensures that student-athletes are protected from exploitation while maintaining the educational focus of collegiate athletics. With the stakes so high for half a million young Americans who earn degrees while competing in sports each year, the time for decisive action is now. By passing the SCORE Act, Congress can safeguard the future of college sports, ensuring that it remains a vibrant and integral part of American culture.
Preserving traditions that make our country great unites conservatives. That includes college sports. Each year, half a million young Americans earn a college degree while competing in school-sponsored athletics. However, the future of college sports is at risk, and protecting one of the last aspects of campus life not corrupted by liberal ideology is worth it.
The solution requires a legislative fix without government overreach. Well-defined rules are essential for institutions to maintain their integrity, stability, and, most important, independence. Unfortunately, the lack of national standards governing name, image and likeness (NIL) rights for student-athletes is causing disorder.
Inconsistent NIL rules leave certain athletes and programs at a disadvantage, especially in Olympic and women’s sports. It also means no guardrails preventing young athletes from being exploited by third-party actors.
The SCORE Act, spearheaded by Republicans, offers a bipartisan solution at a critical time. Rather than allowing chaos to grow or handing control over college sports to bureaucrats, as some have suggested, the bill establishes a national NIL standard across all states. It also prevents college athletes from being turned into employees, which keeps the focus on education and competition, and saves non-revenue-generating sports from administrative cuts. A GOP-led bill, its common-sense approach has attracted the support of several Democratic lawmakers who recognize this is their best chance to be a part of the long-term solution to college sports stability.
Contrast that with the alternative proposal: the SAFE Act.
Rather than empowering students, this bill invites a Washington power grab in college sports. For example, the bill opens the door for government entities to oversee collegiate athletics’ media agreements. Not only should the federal government have zero involvement in free negotiations between two private parties but this also enables the left to bring a culture war to college sports. As we know too well, biased federal bureaucrats will certainly inject progressive ideology into college sports if it gains control over the industry.
The SAFE Act does not preempt athlete employment status, despite how unpopular this policy is among athletic departments and student-athletes. As University of North Florida swimmer Ashley Cozad told Congress, “Most institutions would not be able to afford an employee model. … This model would decimate opportunities for athletes like me.”
Just imagine the wave of collective bargaining, labor disputes and union negotiations that will arise under an employment model.
The left’s vision for college sports amounts to more red tape and more bureaucracy. If history has taught us anything, it’s that excessive government intervention tends to hurt institutions — less competition, less innovation and less efficiency. It also gives career officials in Washington the chance to “rethink” or “reimagine” industries in their own vision. College sports will not be spared from a similar fate if taken over by the federal government.
College athletics are embedded in our culture because they reflect the best of our national character: resilience, teamwork, discipline and fairness. We can strengthen that tradition, but only through an approach that stabilizes college sports and protects the opportunities they provide.
Congress must pass the SCORE Act now to keep college sports great.
Gregg Harper is a former U.S. representative from Mississippi/InsideSources
Two bills addressing college athletes, the SAFE Act and the SCORE Act, are before Congress. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
