Harper: Time for a conservative fix to college sports
The future of college sports is at a crossroads, with two competing legislative proposals—the SCORE Act and the SAFE Act—aimed at addressing the challenges facing student-athletes. As college sports have become a staple of American culture, providing opportunities for approximately half a million young Americans each year to earn degrees while competing, the integrity and stability of these programs are increasingly jeopardized by the lack of national standards governing name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. The SCORE Act, championed by Republicans, seeks to create a unified national standard for NIL agreements, ensuring that student-athletes are protected from exploitation while preserving the educational focus of college athletics. This bipartisan initiative has garnered support from some Democratic lawmakers, recognizing the need for a collaborative approach to stabilize college sports.
In stark contrast, the SAFE Act proposes a more interventionist approach, potentially inviting federal oversight into college athletics. Critics argue that this bill could lead to a bureaucratic power grab, undermining the autonomy of colleges and universities and introducing a layer of government regulation that could stifle innovation and competition. The SAFE Act’s provisions could also inadvertently transform student-athletes into employees, a move that many in the athletic community, including athletes themselves, fear would lead to reduced opportunities and increased administrative burdens. As University of North Florida swimmer Ashley Cozad pointed out, the employment model proposed by the SAFE Act could decimate opportunities for athletes, further complicating the landscape of college sports.
The debate surrounding these bills is emblematic of a larger cultural struggle, with conservatives advocating for the preservation of traditions that define American college athletics, while progressives push for reforms that could reshape the industry. The SCORE Act aims to maintain the spirit of college sports—resilience, teamwork, and fair competition—by providing a legislative framework that supports student-athletes without imposing excessive government control. As Congress deliberates on these critical issues, the passage of the SCORE Act emerges as a crucial step toward safeguarding the future of college sports and ensuring that they remain a vital part of American life.
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)
