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Senators propose bill that would reconstruct college sports
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A reform bill being introduced before the Senate on Thursday could have a dramatic impact on college sports, paving the way for drastic changes to intercollegiate athletics. In fact, it could be a complete undoing of the NCAA as we know it.
The bill paves the way for college athletes, currently amateurs, to get paid beyond their likeness and could see athletes get a share of revenue they generate for their respective athletic department.
There would also be greater medical provisions in the bill including a medical trust.
A new federal bill proposed today by Sens. Cory Booker and Richard Blumenthal calls for sweeping changes in college sports, including revenue sharing in big-money sports, a medical trust fund and an enforcement arm with the power to subpoena witnesses and dole out hefty fines.
— Dan Murphy (@DanMurphyESPN) December 17, 2020
The bills is co-sponsored by senators Richard Blumenthal and Cory Booker.
Along with NIL endorsement opportunies with fewer restrictions than other proposals(including group licensing), athletes in sports that generate more revenue than the total cost of scholarships would get a share of 50% of revenue.
— Dan Murphy (@DanMurphyESPN) December 17, 2020
The aptly titled ‘College Athlete Bill of Rights’ would be a total overhaul of the college athletic system under the NCAA which, to this point, has not allowed athletes to profit from their likeness.
The proposal takes a sizable chunk of the NCAA's policing power and gives it to a commission that will be appointed by the U.S. President.
"I feel like the federal government has a role and responsibility that we’ve been shirking," Sen. Booker told ESPN.
— Dan Murphy (@DanMurphyESPN) December 17, 2020
In addition, transfer penalties would be lifted, scholarships would become guaranteed until graduation and athletic departments would be required to disclose revenue as well as the salaries of personnel.