Senate Democrats Rally Support Against Controversial NIL Bill

A trio of Senate Democrats have taken a stand against the SCORE Act, a proposed bill in the House that seeks to establish national name, image, and likeness (NIL) rules for college athletes. Senators Maria Cantwell of Washington, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, and Cory Booker of New Jersey participated in a Zoom call on Tuesday with former star athletes and prominent representatives from major professional sports unions, including the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), and the National Basketball Association (NBA).

The primary message of the senators and their supporters was clear: they urged lawmakers to reject the SCORE Act, which has gained traction among Republican lawmakers. While the act aims to create some uniformity in the largely unregulated landscape of NIL rules, critics assert that it primarily benefits the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Senator Blumenthal expressed skepticism about the bill’s prospects in the Senate, stating, “I can pretty well guarantee the SCORE Act ain’t gonna make it through the Senate,” highlighting the necessity for bipartisan support to overcome the Senate’s 60-vote threshold. The senators previously introduced their own legislation, the Student Athlete Fairness and Enforcement Act, which aims to address the complexities surrounding NIL.

During the discussion, Blumenthal emphasized that fair compensation for athletes is a matter of racial and economic equity. He pointed out potential issues with the SCORE Act, including exemptions related to Title IX and antitrust laws, warning that the proposed legislation offers only meager benefits to athletes. “Players are being given the crumbs off a cake that grows every year,” he remarked.

Senator Booker added that the House bill represents a setback for athletes, particularly following a favorable Supreme Court ruling in 2021 that supported student athletes’ rights. “This bill halts the progress we have made,” he said, referring to the gains achieved by student athletes in recent years.

Senator Cantwell criticized the bill’s implications, stating, “There’s a lot of people scoring from the SCORE Act,” and specifically mentioned the NCAA and its executives as primary beneficiaries. “But who’s not scoring is the athletes,” she added, underscoring the need for reform that truly supports student athletes.

Former professional soccer player and current executive director of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Players Association, Meghann Burke, voiced concerns that the SCORE Act could lead to a “Title IX backslide,” diminishing opportunities for women athletes. “I don’t believe the gains of the SCORE Act are worth the costs,” said Dwayne Allen, a former Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, acknowledging the flaws in the current NIL model while advocating for change.

This recent session starkly contrasts with a previous event hosted by Senator Ted Cruz in 2022, which focused more on perceptions of entitlement among college athletes rather than equitable compensation. When asked about potential collaboration with Cruz on legislation, Blumenthal noted that while discussions had occurred, “we’ve made no headway.”

As lawmakers navigate the complex landscape of college athletics and athlete compensation, the Senate Democrats’ push against the SCORE Act highlights the ongoing debate about the rights and recognition of student athletes in the evolving world of NIL.