NCAA President Charlie Baker said Congressional action was necessary to protect the “95 percent” of athletes whose ability to play college sports would be jeopardized by court rulings or regulatory decisions. Stated.
WASHINGTON — NCAA President Charlie Baker said Friday that Congressional action is needed to protect the “95%” of athletes whose ability to play college sports is at risk due to court rulings or regulatory decisions. said. school.
Speaking to a small group of reporters near the NCAA's Washington offices, Baker was realistic about the prospect of Congress doing what it hasn't done despite persistent demands from his predecessor, Mark Emmert. Despite this, I still had hope. Granting the NCAA a limited antitrust exemption, allowing it to enact rules that protect college sports without constant threat of litigation.
His comments took on added urgency Friday when a judge in Tennessee ruled that the NCAA cannot prevent schools from using name, image and likeness (NIL) funds to recruit athletes. increased. Baker was informed of the ruling during a meeting with reporters, but he declined to comment. In a subsequent statement, the NCAA said the ruling “will further exacerbate an already chaotic university environment.”
In December, Baker proposed creating a new Division I tier that would allow the schools that make the most money in sports to pay their players. But he doesn't want any changes within the NCAA or a court ruling that would jeopardize sports at most member schools. The NCAA is facing several lawsuits and union efforts at Dartmouth that could result in players being classified as employees.
He said this hiring model would not work at historically black colleges and universities or Division II and III schools.
“Probably 95 per cent of universities spend between $40 million and $5 million on university sport and are losing money,” Professor Baker said. “They don't have a TV deal, and no one can look at their income statement or balance sheet and conclude there's a way to make money.”
Baker, a former two-term Massachusetts Republican governor whose one-year term as NCAA president expired on March 1, said he agrees with lawmakers that something must be done to improve safety and standards. He said he was encouraged by the conversation. Securing NIL rights for athletes and allowing the NCAA to give athletes more opportunities to earn money.
“I think ultimately we need Congress to do something,” Baker said. “Because people will draw many conclusions from the court's decision. And new ones will emerge.”
He said he takes a long-term view of Congress's actions and does not expect legislation to be passed during an election year when priorities for both parties, such as border security and funding for Ukraine, are stalled. Ta.
“I fully accept the fact that of all the big projects Congress is working on, this issue probably isn't at the top of the list,” Baker said.
Baker added that the scope of the antitrust exemption he is seeking is much narrower than what the NCAA has requested in the past.
The NCAA and Power Five conferences aren't just counting on Baker's powers of persuasion to accomplish their goals on Capitol Hill. They spent a total of $2.97 million on lobbyists in 2023, breaking the previous record by more than $700,000, according to lobbying records reviewed by The Associated Press.
The increase in spending was primarily driven by the Atlantic Coast Conference, which increased its lobbying budget by more than $600,000 and became the first conference to exceed $1 million in annual lobbying spending. The Southeastern Conference increased spending by more than $200,000. The ACC and SEC more than made up for the decline in spending by the Pac-12, which collapsed last year when all but two of its members announced their departures to other leagues.
Two senators who have sparred with the NCAA were bleak about the NCAA's prospects for gaining support from Congress.
“The NCAA has a well-established history of behind-the-scenes deliberations that result in unfair penalties against athletes, coaches, and universities. Until the NCAA acts cooperatively, their 'get-out-of-jail-free card' will be upon arrival in Congress.” ,” Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) said in a statement to The Associated Press. “The NCAA has undermined its priorities in Congress by pursuing unfounded accusations against schools like the University of Tennessee and handing down unfair penalties.”
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said the NCAA is spending money on lawyers and lobbyists to protect a status quo that seems unsustainable.
“Now that courts and states are forcing players to start treating them fairly, the NCAA is spending even more money on high-priced lobbyists trying to convince Congress that college sports are suddenly collapsing,” Murphy said. ” he said. The Associated Press urged the NCAA to “start negotiating directly with players and devise an entirely new model that would give them the pay and protections they have long received.” Until the NCAA takes these basic steps. Simply coming to Congress to bail them out is not a reasonable approach. ”
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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
