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NCAA president Mark Emmert was reprimanded Wednesday as he returned to Washington during a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on his name, photo and example.
For Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), the no-obstacle issue was supposed to be resolved sooner and Emmett was told that the NCA was unable to handle any decision.
“This is why states have taken it upon themselves to do what the NCAA has proven unable to do,” said Blackburn, who targeted Emmett. “Don’t you think it’s time to question your leadership of the institution?”
Emmett said this is a question for leaders of universities that are members of the NCAA Board of Governors. The board approved an extension to Emmert’s contract in April.
Federal law regulating how college athletes make money appears to be coming, but not in the timeframe Emmert is hoping for.
For some lawmakers, such as Senator Cory Booker (DN.J.), a former Stanford soccer player, the issues of long-term health care, educational opportunities for athletes and safety standards must also be addressed. He said failure to do so would be “tragic”.
The First Division Council meets June 22-23 and can take action after that, but only federal law can preempt state laws in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and New Mexico that are set to go into effect July 1.
Earlier Wednesday, Connecticut became the 19th state to pass no-items legislation. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), who along with Booker sponsored the College Athletes’ Comprehensive Rights Act, said he would ban any federal bill that is less unequal than Connecticut.
Meanwhile, the Securities and Exchange Commission — along with the Atlantic Coast Conferences, Big Ten, Big 12 and PAC 12 — issued a joint statement regarding Wednesday’s Senate Commerce Committee hearing.
“The Five Self-Government Conferences thank President Maria Cantwell and rating member Roger Wicker for today’s hearing and for their determination to establish a fair and enforceable national standard on the NIL,” the statement read. “Only Congress can pass a national solution to the rights of student-athletes NIL. The set of state laws beginning July 1 will harm student-athletes in some states and create an impractical system for others.
“As leaders in college athletics, we support expanding NIL rights in a way that supports educational opportunities for all student-athletes, including the undergraduates in Olympic sports who made up 80 percent of Team USA at the Rio Games. We continue to work with Congress to develop a solution for NIL. and expanding opportunities.
Emmert reiterated that the NCAA wants a national inequality-dealing law that would preempt state laws, prevent college athletes from being employees of their schools and provide limited antitrust protections from future litigation.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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