Harper: Time for a conservative fix to college sports
The future of college sports hangs in the balance as two contrasting legislative proposals— the SCORE Act and the SAFE Act— vie for congressional approval. Each year, around half a million young Americans earn college degrees while participating in athletics, making college sports a vital aspect of campus life. However, the current landscape is fraught with uncertainty, particularly surrounding Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights for student-athletes. The absence of uniform national standards has created a chaotic environment, disadvantaging certain athletes, especially in Olympic and women’s sports. This disarray not only risks the integrity of college athletics but also leaves young athletes vulnerable to exploitation by third-party entities.
The SCORE Act, championed by Republicans and gaining bipartisan support, aims to establish a national NIL standard that promotes stability and independence in college sports. By preventing college athletes from being classified as employees, the bill seeks to maintain the focus on education and competition, ensuring that non-revenue-generating sports are not jeopardized by administrative cuts. This approach has received backing from some Democratic lawmakers who recognize the need for a balanced solution to the challenges facing college athletics. Conversely, the SAFE Act proposes a more government-centric approach, which critics argue could lead to bureaucratic overreach and the imposition of progressive ideologies in collegiate sports. It invites federal oversight of media agreements and does not preempt the employment status of athletes, a point of contention among many athletic departments and student-athletes alike.
As the debate unfolds, it becomes clear that the SCORE Act represents a path that values tradition and the core principles of college athletics, such as resilience, teamwork, and fairness. By stabilizing the college sports landscape without excessive government intervention, this legislation aims to preserve the opportunities that have long defined American college athletics. The urgency for Congress to pass the SCORE Act is palpable, as it stands as a bulwark against the encroachment of bureaucracy and a protector of the cherished traditions that unite conservatives and sports enthusiasts alike. The fate of college sports—and the young athletes who depend on them—rests on this critical legislative decision.
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)
