Harper: Time for a conservative fix to college sports
In the current landscape of college athletics, the preservation of traditions that embody the spirit of American values is a rallying point for conservatives. With approximately half a million young Americans earning college degrees while participating in school-sponsored sports annually, the future of this cherished aspect of campus life is under threat. The increasing complexity surrounding Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights for student-athletes has led to a chaotic environment, where the absence of uniform national standards has created disparities among programs and athletes. This disarray particularly affects Olympic and women’s sports, leaving many young athletes vulnerable to exploitation by third-party entities. In response, the SCORE Act has emerged as a bipartisan legislative solution aimed at establishing a cohesive framework for NIL rights without imposing excessive government intervention.
The SCORE Act, championed by Republican lawmakers, seeks to create a national standard for NIL rights, ensuring that college athletes maintain their status as students rather than employees. This distinction is crucial, as it helps to preserve the educational and competitive focus of college sports while safeguarding non-revenue-generating programs from potential budget cuts. The bill has garnered support from some Democratic lawmakers, reflecting a shared recognition of the need for stability in college athletics. In contrast, the SAFE Act presents a more government-centric approach that could lead to increased bureaucracy and regulatory oversight, potentially stifling the very essence of college sports. Critics argue that this legislation would allow federal intervention in media agreements and disrupt the free market dynamics that currently govern collegiate athletics.
The implications of the SAFE Act extend beyond mere administrative oversight; it risks transforming college athletes into employees, a move that many within athletic departments and among student-athletes find concerning. The shift to an employment model could lead to a cascade of labor disputes, collective bargaining demands, and union negotiations, ultimately complicating the landscape of college sports. As highlighted by University of North Florida swimmer Ashley Cozad, such a model could jeopardize opportunities for athletes, particularly in less lucrative sports, thereby undermining the very foundation of what makes college athletics a vital part of American culture. With the SCORE Act poised as a means to reinforce the integrity and independence of college sports, it is imperative for Congress to act swiftly to pass this legislation, ensuring that the traditions and values embodied in college athletics continue to thrive.
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)
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering General news.
