The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has come out swinging against the SCORE Act. This bill would boost the NCAA’s control over college athletes and their rights to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL).
Because of this opposition, the bill was yanked from the U.S. House schedule. It’s a sign the support just isn’t there right now.
The CBC’s main argument? College athletes—many of them Black students—face real financial and personal struggles. Meanwhile, the NCAA could get legal immunity from lawsuits under this bill, which has lawmakers arguing fiercely.
The Congressional Black Caucus Takes a Stand
On December 3, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke of New York led the CBC in a strong statement blasting the SCORE Act. They pointed out the NCAA made $1.4 billion last year, but athletes saw little of that money.
College athletes deal with injuries, food insecurity, poverty, and sometimes even homelessness. The CBC isn’t letting anyone forget that.
Key Points from the CBC Statement
- Exploitation of Athletes: The CBC called out the NCAA for profiting off athletes’ hard work while often treating them poorly.
- Financial Disparities: Many athletes, especially Black students, come from families with less money and struggle to meet basic needs.
- Human Impact: The CBC emphasized the real-life hardships student-athletes face, not just numbers on a page.
Legislative Battle and Political Dynamics
The SCORE Act—short for “Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements Act”—was supposed to get a vote in the U.S. House on December 3 and 4. But it was pulled, which probably means it’s struggling to find enough backers.
Florida Republican Rep. Gus Bilirakis is sponsoring the bill. Its most controversial piece? Giving the NCAA legal immunity from athlete lawsuits.
Opposition and Support
Some Republicans, like Texas Rep. Chip Roy, aren’t fans of the SCORE Act. Roy even called college sports “minor league sports masquerading as collegiate.”
Supporters say the bill would protect college athletes, but honestly, plenty of folks are skeptical.
Implications for College Athletes
Critics worry the SCORE Act would cement the NCAA’s power and leave athletes with less protection. The CBC and others say this is especially bad for student-athletes already facing tough financial and personal situations.
The Future of NIL Legislation
This whole fight over the SCORE Act shows just how messy NIL legislation is right now. States are passing their own laws, and Congress is feeling the heat to make one national rule.
But with so much controversy, finding common ground is going to be tough.
The Congressional Black Caucus’s opposition to the SCORE Act has sparked some real conversation about how college athletes are still being exploited and mistreated.
With the NIL debate heating up, it’s hard not to wonder—will new laws actually help the athletes who make college sports what they are?
If you’re curious or just want to dig deeper, the full article is over at Insight News. Here’s the link.
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