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Cruz, Cantwell release college sports bill

The bill has the backing of the nation’s two largest athletic conferences but athlete and labor groups remain opposed.

Kelsey Brugger

Sens. Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell on Tuesday released a new version of their legislation to revamp the rules of college sports, after weeks of negotiations with the largest athletics conferences and the Trump administration.

The bill, which would set rules for student athlete compensation and limit conference expansion, is a top priority for Cruz. The Texas Republican and Senate Commerce chair has been adamant about passing the bipartisan legislation before senators leave for August recess at the end of this week.

“We listened to our colleagues, addressed their concerns and improved an already strong bill,” the Texas Republican said in a statement, calling it “our last best chance to preserve one of America’s great unifying traditions for the athletes who compete and the fans who fill the stands.”

It’s unclear whether the Senate will tee up consideration of the bill this week. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters Monday that the bill was “probably trending in the right direction” but that he was unsure whether the Senate could produce a “big vote” or “get it in the queue somehow.”

Sen. John Barrasso , the Wyoming Republican who serves as GOP whip, said “there’s a lot we’re trying to get across” before recess. A number of key Republicans remain wild cards, including Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama.

Cruz and Cantwell, a Washington Democrat, made changes in recent weeks to win the backing of a range of schools and conferences, according to a GOP Senate Commerce aide granted anonymity to discuss private negotiations.

The new version of the bill would go further than previous drafts in setting restrictions for schools in how they can use corporate sponsors and other entities to pay student athletes.

The bill secured the backing of the Southeastern and Big Ten conferences late Friday. But the changes were not enough to win over a coalition of labor, athlete and legal groups who sent a letter to senators Tuesday urging the vote be delayed “until the legislation more adequately addresses the needs and concerns of college athletes.”

A White House official said the administration supports the bill and that the support from major conferences is a “massive step forward.”