Harper: Time for a conservative fix to college sports
In the ongoing debate over the future of college sports, the proposed SCORE Act is being hailed as a beacon of hope for preserving the integrity and tradition of athletics on campuses across America. With around half a million young Americans earning degrees while competing in college sports each year, the stakes are high. The current landscape is marred by a lack of national standards concerning name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights, leading to inconsistencies that disproportionately affect athletes in Olympic and women’s sports. The SCORE Act, championed by Republican lawmakers, aims to establish a uniform NIL framework that not only safeguards student-athletes from exploitation by external parties but also maintains their status as students rather than employees. This distinction is critical, as turning athletes into employees could jeopardize funding for non-revenue sports and dilute the educational focus of college athletics.
In stark contrast, the SAFE Act proposes a government-centric approach that many fear could lead to bureaucratic overreach in college sports. This legislation would allow federal entities to oversee media agreements and potentially impose a labor model that many athletic departments and student-athletes oppose. For instance, swimmer Ashley Cozad from the University of North Florida has voiced concerns that such a model could decimate opportunities for athletes, as many institutions would struggle to afford the added financial burden. The implications of the SAFE Act could usher in a wave of collective bargaining and labor disputes, introducing more red tape and bureaucracy into a sector that thrives on competition and innovation. Advocates for the SCORE Act argue that the federal government’s involvement would only serve to inject progressive ideology into college sports, undermining the very values that make these athletic programs a cherished part of American culture.
The urgency for Congress to pass the SCORE Act is underscored by the need to protect the unique character of college athletics, which embodies resilience, teamwork, and fairness. As the debate unfolds, it is clear that maintaining a balance between safeguarding student-athletes and preserving the traditions of college sports is paramount. The SCORE Act represents a pragmatic solution that seeks to stabilize college athletics while ensuring that the focus remains on education and competition, rather than bureaucratic control. With bipartisan support growing for this bill, the future of college sports hangs in the balance, and swift legislative action is essential to keep the spirit of college athletics alive and thriving.
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)
