Chris Murphy proposes $5M cap on college coaches; UConn's Dan Hurley earns $8M+

In a bipartisan move, U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) have filed an amendment to the Protect College Sports Act (PCSA) that would cap the annual coaching salaries at $5 million. The amendment is one of numerous proposed changes to the bill, most of which are unlikely to be adopted in the final legislation.

UConn men's basketball coach Dan Hurley currently earns an impressive $8 million per year. According to USA Today's salary database, this places him as the second-highest-paid men's college basketball coach. Hurley, who has previously received lucrative offers from NBA teams, has turned down significant contracts in the past to remain at UConn.

The PCSA, introduced by Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), aims to address the significant changes to college sports over the past five years. The bill offers the NCAA a limited antitrust exemption to implement policies like allowing athletes one transfer without sitting out a year and capping roster spending.

Murphy and Booker, both former college football players, have been the most vocal opponents of the PCSA. Murphy argues that the bill imposes unreasonable limitations on college athletes' earning potential while leaving coaches and athletic administrators' salaries untouched. Instead, he proposes recognizing college athletes as employees and engaging them in collective bargaining.

Despite his concerns, Hurley supports the PCSA, emphasizing the need for some form of regulation to restore balance to college sports. He believes that even if the bill is imperfect, it can still help protect young athletes who are still developing crucial skills and qualities.