Congress could determine the future of college sports.Thursday was a seminal day as to whether Congress can either salvage – or potentially ruin – intercollegiate athletics.It’s a Congressional Hail Mary as senators address name, image and likeness (NIL) deals for athletes, compensation packages and transfers between schools. "College sports is in crisis," declared Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, R-Texas."There's a sense of urgency in that room you can feel it, right? You've got to do something rapidly," said Sen.
John Hickenlooper, D-Colo.TED CRUZ, MARIA CANTWELL UNVEIL BIPARTISAN COLLEGE ATHLETICS BILL AMID NIL CHAOS, LAWSUITS, 'LANE KIFFIN RULE'Senate lawmakers advanced a bipartisan college sports bill that would create national NIL standards and limit athlete transfers.The measure now heads toward a full Senate debate.
(Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)The Commerce Committee approved a bipartisan gameplan to fundamentally alter college sports.The full Senate plans to debate the bill in July. "We have put something on the table that's going to bring more certainty and predictability to the system," said Sen.
Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., the top Democrat on the panel. Establishing a nationwide payout framework is a key aspect of the deal.Lawmakers know that inaction could mean that monied, major programs will simply outbid smaller schools.
Perhaps even for a future NFL MVP."I'm worried that we'll never see a Josh Allen again at the University of Wyoming," said Sen.Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., referring to the Buffalo Bills standout quarterback.
"It leaves those of us who don't really have a donor base [to struggle to] pay for players of that caliber."The bill also restricts athletes to one transfer between schools during a five-year period without a penalty. "Now we have this unbelievable number of players that get in the (transfer) portal every year and we have nothing to control the agents," said former Alabama head football coach Nick Sa...