The NCAA has issued a statement condemning a proposed bill in the United States Senate that would allow student-athletes to form a union.

The statement also says the NCAA is interested in “modernizing” name, image and likeness rules that will allow student-athletes to individually profit. There’s been bipartisan support for NIL legislation in multiple states in recent weeks and months.

Here’s the NCAA’s statement on today’s bill:

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“College athletes are students and not employees of their college or university. This bill would directly undercut the purpose of college: earning a degree. The NCAA and its member schools support student-athletes through scholarships – many of which cover their full cost of education debt free – and numerous other benefits.

“NCAA members also are committed to modernizing name, image and likeness rules so student-athletes can benefit from those opportunities but not become employees of their school. We will continue to work with members of Congress to focus on issues that align with our priorities. But turning student-athletes into union employees is not the answer.”

The bill was authored by senators Bernie Sanders and Chris Murphy.

Murphy also released a statement on Thursday morning when the bill was introduced.

“Big time college sports haven’t been ‘amateur’ for a long time, and the NCAA has long denied its players economic and bargaining rights while treating them like commodities,” Murphy said in a statement. “That’s why I’m introducing the College Athlete Right to Organize Act, which finally recognizes college athletes as employees and allows athletes to collectively bargain with their colleges and across conferences. Having the right to do so will help athletes get the pay and protections they deserve and forces the NCAA to treat them as equals rather than second-class citizens. It’s a civil rights issue, and a matter of basic fairness.”