College sports meltdown fuels push on Capitol Hill
The ongoing public outcry over pro athletes attempting to come back to college sports is boosting the Senate’s bipartisan bill.
A public backlash against professional athletes attempting to return to college sports is bolstering support for a Senate bipartisan bill. As the Senate returns in September, the Protect College Sports Act is set to be considered, addressing the ongoing controversy. Tim Buckley, an NCAA spokesman, acknowledged that the recent public outrage has helped shift some minds on Capitol Hill, potentially strengthening the bill's support.
The Big Ten and the Southeastern Conference have taken steps to ban players with pro contracts from participating in college sports, but these measures are vulnerable to legal challenges, which adds uncertainty for athletes and fans alike. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz and President Donald Trump had initially sought to pass the bill before the August recess, but the bill's complex nature led to a delay until September.
This delay may prove beneficial for the bill, as it could accumulate the necessary 60 votes as the controversy surrounding pro players attempting to return to college sports intensifies. According to Buckley, public opinion is clear: allowing college sports as a fallback for pro athletes is widely unpopular.
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