BUZZ
Conservative groups had warned of potential flaw in Senator Ted Cruz’s bill
A pending bill to overhaul compensation standards and other aspects of college sports has been fixed to ensure states can prohibit men from competing in women’s sports.
The Protect College Sports Act largely focused on how colleges and athletes are allowed to create “name, image, and likeness” deals. However, several groups, including Alliance Defending Freedom, warned that federal preemption clauses could be used in the future to override red state laws against men playing against women.
An amendment to the bill now eliminates that concern, according to the religious liberty legal group.
“The Protect College Sports Act has been amended with a simple fix to preserve all 27 state laws protecting women’s sports,” ADF announced on Sept. 18.
The group thanked Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt and Texas Senator Ted Cruz “for leading the charge—and their fellow senators who stood with them to make this crucial edit.”
Cruz is the chief sponsor of the bipartisan bill along with Democrat Maria Cantwell of Washington.
The America First Policy Institute previously disputed that a change was needed, as The College Fix reported in early September.
America First Policy Institute says no further clarification is needed.
“The Protecting College Sports Act should be judged on what it actually does: save college sports, protect opportunities for women, preserve scholarships, and hold a broken system accountable,” Executive Vice President Ashley Hayek told The Fix via email.
“Trying to derail legislation over language that both the White House and the Senate Commerce Committee have deemed unnecessary distracts from the real stakes,” she continued. “The priority is simple: pass reform, protect Title IX opportunities, hold the NCAA accountable, and save college sports for the next generation.”
The pending legislation also sets terms for medical coverage and scholarships for athletes, according to The Hill.
“It guarantees scholarships for 10 years after eligibility so athletes can complete their degrees after their playing days,” The Hill reported. “It also requires Division I schools to provide medical coverage while athletes are participating in sports.”
The law must still pass a final vote in the Senate after it advanced with 74 votes last Tuesday. It must also pass the U.S. House of Representatives and be signed by President Trump.
