Starting to see tidbits of this on social media. Cruz has mentioned this off and on over the past year or so that it was in the works. He finally did a full podcast on it.

He does have good bipartisan support here. As a rule I'm not a fan of government involvement, but if there's an avenue for congressional involvement that isn't over-reach then I'm for it. The current path of NIL is completely beyond the intent of why it was created. In the current form, it isn't "Name Image & Likeness" it is straight up pay for play.

Highlights...

• Going to end the recent trend of 7,8+ years of eligibility. Age restrictions on college athletics (exception for military service)... Lebron for example could go back to school and play. Once you play pro your college days are over.
• Can still be paid for true "NIL." You can be in commercials, you can do autograph sessions, you can endorse products, etc
• Schools can fund travel, lodging, tickets, & meals for players families to see kids play
• Schools must provide health insurance/coverage not just during play but create funds/insurance for longer term issues that arise from play
• Ends the unlimited transfer merry-go-round. You get 1 no questions asked, I picked the wrong school, it's not a good fit transfer. You can transfer penalty free when the coach leaves, the program at your school is cut, or cases of sexual misconduct. Otherwise you sit for a year...
• I need to re-listen to the changes in media rights

Been a few days since I listened to the Pod while driving, so I'm likely leaving out a bit.

EDIT.... Skip to about the 9 min mark to skip the banter about Ted's 25th wedding anniversary.

I'm really worried that the SEC/Big Ten will get forced into a consolidation of media rights...socialism of money. Sam Houston getting same money as Texas A&M.

Its written in a way that puts the 2 power conferences from expanding and from having enough votes to overrule all the other schools on a future vote for consolidating media rights.

Pooling is nothing but socialism. The SEC/B10 has more teams than the NFL. It makes no sense. We don't need the pooling stuff.

I guess there is no more possibility of self regulating? I know the NCAA is toothless, and there needs to be something different done there as an association that can enforce agreed upon rules.

That said, is it the courts that would end up mostly or completely nullifying agreed upon rules because of litigation against the institutions or their association? Is this why legislation might be a good idea? So is it worthless to attempt self regulation instead?

I am usually against federal government involvement in these situations. I love college sports, but how can I not say the free market should decide what is effectively a segment of the entertainment industry?

I love Ted but I don't think the federal government should be involved in regulating sports. For as much as people *****ed about the NCAA, this should be their exclusive turf.

BTW... Federal government has been in College Sports media in a major way since at least 1984
NCAA v. Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma

If you've never seen the TexAgs documentary "SEC Ready" find a copy. It has a good section in about this case and how it paved the way for a multitude of events including the breakup of the SWC and ultimately the TV media world we're in today.

Regulate away on this topic. If it were up to me all money would be out of college sports.

A prospective player gets:

Education
Room & Board (bring back on campus dorms)
Stipend (relative to sport they play)
And all the other goodies they get by playing for a university
They get 1 free transfer plus 1 for graduating
They get a free transfer if their coach leaves

If they want to go attempt to capitalize on their ability above and beyond what the ncaa offers- they are more than welcome to, just like any other student or prospective student can, before or after or instead of their university career.


College sport is so unique to the American system, tradition and character. Its far too valuable to us to let it devolve into a mini pro sports league mostly unrelated to the schools themselves, other than the name on the front of the jersey.

All I know is Nick Saban lecturing everyone about pay for play is rich as richie rich rich, rich.

Will say with the media pooling stuff- if they really let schools or conferences opt out, it will officially kill college sports.

P.H. Dexippus said:

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I love Ted but I don't think the federal government should be involved in regulating sports.

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Some additional commentary....

P.H. Dexippus said:

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I love Ted but I don't think the federal government should be involved in regulating sports. For as much as people *****ed about the NCAA, this should be their exclusive turf.

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Same. This bill goes WAY too far and will outdate itself in no time. Getting involved in conference formation and who plays who is a terrible idea for instance, that's not something the government should regulate. It's filled with good intentions that will have terrible results.

As for college sports evolving into something different that's inevitable and can't really be stopped. You can't put pandora back in the box on NIL and conference re-alignments. The money is way too big now and you can't turn back the clock. If they must they can grant some powers to the NCAA but passing specific government bills that apply so broadly is going to be a disaster and I hope it dies.