“Protect The Ball Act”: GOP Lawmakers Propose Legal Shield for NCAA, Conferences Against Litigation over College Sports Management

Two Republican Congressmen, Representatives Russell Fry from South Carolina and Barry Moore from Alabama, have proposed a bill known as the Protect The Ball Act, which aims to offer legal protection to the NCAA, college conferences, and member schools from legal challenges that hinder their ability to manage college sports. The bill is supported by Fry and Moore, both of whom serve on the House Judiciary Committee. The NCAA and powerhouse conferences are currently evaluating a settlement deal worth billions of dollars. A lawsuit called “House vs. The NCAA” demands reparations for college athletes who were previously barred from earning income through sponsorships and endorsements between 2016 and 2021 when the NCAA ended its prohibition on such activities. Recent lawsuits initiated by states challenge some of the NCAA’s fundamental norms regarding recruitment incentives and multiple transfers. The Protect the Ball Act will grant legal immunity to the NCAA and conferences against litigation and enable them to regulate aspects such as recruitment, eligibility criteria, and how student-athletes acquire compensation for their names, images, and likenesses (NIL). According to Fry, “NIL rules are constantly changing, heavily litigated, and essentially unenforceable, causing confusion and chaos for all parties involved.” He further argues that federal legislation is necessary at the national level to safeguard educational institutions, student-athletes, and conferences during this novel scenario. College sports officials have requested congressional assistance in managing student-athlete compensation for NIL for many years, although NCAA President Charlie Baker and others have lately altered their focus to prevent student-athletes from being classified as employees. The proposed settlement would establish a revenue-sharing arrangement for college students; nevertheless, the NCAA and conferences may still require legislative assistance from federal authorities to shield themselves from future legal actions and potentially establish a special status for student-athletes. Former Oklahoma State softball player Morgyn Wynne, who has also served as co-chair of the NCAA’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, expressed her satisfaction that their advocacy efforts are gaining attention and resulting in legislative action. Since 2020, seven bills have been submitted in both houses of Congress, some only as draft proposals, but none have gained significant traction. The Protect The Ball Act is designed to support wider legislation intended to establish a national standard for NIL remuneration in collegiate sports. For more information about college football, visit AP News’ hub at https://apnews.com/hub/college-football.