Harper: Time for a conservative fix to college sports
In the ongoing debate over the future of college sports, the preservation of traditions that embody the spirit of American values has become a rallying point for conservatives. With approximately half a million young Americans earning degrees while participating in college athletics each year, the stakes are high. However, the landscape of college sports is increasingly threatened by the lack of consistent regulations, particularly regarding name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights for student-athletes. This inconsistency not only creates an uneven playing field—disadvantaging certain athletes and programs, especially in Olympic and women’s sports—but also leaves young athletes vulnerable to exploitation by third-party entities. The need for a legislative solution has never been more urgent, and the SCORE Act, championed by Republicans, aims to provide a bipartisan framework to restore stability and integrity to college athletics.
The SCORE Act proposes a national standard for NIL rights, ensuring that all student-athletes are treated fairly across the board while maintaining their status as students rather than employees. This approach is crucial for preserving the educational focus of college sports and preventing potential funding cuts to non-revenue-generating sports. Notably, even some Democratic lawmakers have recognized the SCORE Act as a viable path forward, acknowledging that it offers a balanced solution without imposing excessive government oversight. In stark contrast, the SAFE Act represents a more intrusive approach, suggesting federal oversight of collegiate athletics’ media agreements and leaving the door open for government intervention in negotiations between private entities. Critics argue that such intervention could inject progressive ideologies into college sports, ultimately undermining the independence that has characterized these institutions.
The implications of the SAFE Act extend beyond mere regulation; it risks transforming college athletes into employees, a model that many athletic departments fear would lead to financial instability and diminished opportunities for student-athletes. As highlighted by University of North Florida swimmer Ashley Cozad, the employment model could decimate the very opportunities that college sports provide. The potential for labor disputes and the complexities of collective bargaining would further complicate an already challenging environment. By contrast, the SCORE Act seeks to fortify the values of resilience, teamwork, and fairness that are at the core of college athletics. As Congress deliberates on these critical bills, the urgency to pass the SCORE Act becomes clear—it represents not just a legislative fix, but a commitment to preserving the integrity and tradition of college sports for future generations.
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)
