Nunnie on the Sideline

Nunnie Robinson, WG Sports Editor

The Senate passed bipartisan legislation entitled the PROTECT COLLEGE SPORTS ACT, allegedly designed to govern and regulate student-athletes regarding financial compensation, transfers, and eligibility, in direct opposition to the recently established rules for NIL—Name, Image and Likeness—and the transfer portal, which have created opportunities for players to be adequately rewarded financially, as well as the flexibility to choose where they want to attend school as student-athletes. By the way, “student-athlete” is a term created to minimize the entertainment value of athletes as revenue-driving vessels.

One major proponent of the measure is Texas Senator Ted Cruz, and if passed by Congress, 47 is desperate to sign it immediately. From my perspective, it is an additional measure used in the assault on Black America. That tells you all you need to know about the PCSA bill. I’m all for limiting the number of times a player can transfer in a given period. Additionally, athletes should be compelled to make continuous progress toward earning a degree, which is tied to eligibility. But returning to the old system, where the NCAA, administrators, school presidents, athletic directors, and coaches control a vast majority of revenue, is unacceptable.

Moreover, it is apparent to many that the underlying intent of the Protect College Sports Act is control and distribution of the revenue. From my perspective, any legislation should inherently provide a percentage of all revenue streams for athletes. The bill also promises contributions to HBCUs, but until it is indelibly included in the legislation, it is about as worthless as a three-dollar bill. Another component that should be included in the legislation is a comprehensive insurance policy and medical benefits to protect the athletes and their beneficiaries.

Those of my generation might remember professional athletes Curt Flood, Oscar Robertson, and John Mackey, all great in their respective sports, who challenged the system or status quo legally by utilizing the antitrust laws, eventually paving the way for free agency that today’s NBA, NFL, and MLB players benefit greatly from.

Though the PCSA has bipartisan support, I don’t necessarily think the Democratic leadership has vetted it thoroughly or considered the implications of regressing if it passes in its present format. I encourage you to educate yourself about the PCSA, then decide if the bill should pass as presently formatted. And remember who the fans pay to see. It’s definitely not the politicians, presidents, school administrators, or coaches. The players are the real revenue generators!