Former college football head coach and current Republican U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville is part of a group that has proposed a bill to regulate the ability of college athletes to make money.
The Pass Act of 2023 calls for federal regulation of NIL deals and enhanced assistance for current and former student-athletes.
According to ESPN, more than 12 bills regarding NIL have been proposed since 2021, the same year the practice began, but all have failed.
The Pass Act of 2023 seeks to establish national governance and universal direction of NIL practices instead of the contradictory state laws and vague NCAA guidelines that are currently in place. The bill also proposes constructing a certification process for prospective NIL agents that would require registering with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a database of NIL deals monitored by the FTC.
Additionally, the senators propose amended transferring regulations, funded travel for the athletes of student-athletes, and the establishment of a health fund for current and former student-athletes. However, former student-athletes must graduate before becoming eligible for coverage. (A player who leaves early for the pros is not eligible until they graduate.)
Universal regulation of NIL has been a hot-button issue since the inception of the practice, and American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco gave his perspective in his opening address at the AAC media days in Arlington on Tuesday.
“We have to acknowledge the difficulty of getting any NIL legislation passed by Congress,” he said. “However, what I believe is more important at the moment is getting federal legislation or a court decision — which I believe we could get — that would prohibit states from negating NCAA rules and protocols.”
“We now have a patchwork of state laws, some of which seek to deprive the NCAA of its authority and enforcement power,” he added. “College sports is a national endeavor, a national enterprise. It requires uniform rules, protocols, and penalties. Otherwise, you have chaos.”
While the Pass Act would provide uniform rules, it completely undermines the NCAA’s authority, requiring everyone to abide by the federal policies over any NCAA rules.
The proposal comes on the same day University of Texas freshman quarterback Arch Manning signed his first NIL deal with memorabilia company Panini America.
While many student-athletes have significantly profited from NIL deals, which has amplified calls for regulation, the proceeds from Manning’s deal will help local hospitals in Austin.
“Working with Panini to have my first trading card benefit the larger community is special,” he told ESPN. “Helping children live healthy and fulfilling lives is something that has always been important to my family.”
***
EXTRA POINTS
— Big 12 Deputy Commissioner Tim Weiser joined the KC Sports Network to discuss Texas and Oklahoma departing for the SEC and suggested that the real reason for the move was affiliating with certain schools over others in their current conference.
— Colorado is considering a move to the Big 12, and a special Board of Regents meeting has been called for Thursday afternoon. According to the Action Network, an official announcement is expected Thursday.
— Northwestern football players opted to skip Big Ten media days in Indianapolis this week amid lawsuits in the wake of the program’s hazing scandal.
— Former University of Minnesota players and staff members are accusing head coach PJ Fleck of promoting a “toxic culture” within his program.
— Notre Dame strength and coach Matt Balis has resigned for “personal reasons.”
