A college athlete from Clemson University is calling on Congress to pass the Protect College Sports Act, S. 4668, asserting that the current landscape of college athletics is becoming increasingly unstable. The athlete argues that court decisions and a lack of federal regulation have created chaos, threatening opportunities for both current and future student-athletes, particularly those in non-revenue sports.
The legislation aims to establish a national framework for governing revenue sharing, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, the transfer portal, and eligibility rules. The author contends that without intervention, the disparities between major athletic programs and smaller ones will continue to grow, diminishing opportunities for high school athletes.
Concerns highlighted include the impact of post-NCAA v. Alston and House v. NCAA court decisions, which have led to roster caps and an increased reliance on the transfer portal. These factors, the athlete writes, have reduced roster spots for walk-ons and compressed recruiting pipelines. Some universities have reportedly eliminated Olympic sports like men's swimming or track and field due to financial pressures.
While acknowledging the benefits of NIL for revenue-generating sports, the author points to a lack of guardrails that can leave student-athletes vulnerable to exploitation by unregistered agents and excessive fees. The transfer portal is also cited as a disruptive force, undermining school loyalty and making it difficult to build consistent team culture.
The author, a rising junior and member of Clemson's women's track and field team who also serves on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, emphasizes the transformative power of college sports. The piece details personal experiences of growth through athletics, including academic and leadership development supported by the university's athletic department. The author expresses a desire for all American athletes to have similar opportunities, regardless of their sport's revenue generation.
The call for federal action comes as some lawmakers also advocate for swift passage of the Protect College Sports Act. The author warns that failure to act could jeopardize the future of college sports for the next generation of athletes.