Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas, has voiced strong concerns about the current state of college football, labeling it a crisis driven by the NCAA’s transfer portal and name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. In recent statements, he declared that the situation is a “disaster” and urged Congress to take action.
Ted Cruz’s Critique of the NCAA Transfer Portal
Cruz’s criticisms come in light of significant changes in college football dynamics. Specifically, he referenced the Iowa State Cyclones, who recently lost their head coach Matt Campbell to Penn State, leaving the team with only 17 players on their roster for the 2026 season. Out of these, just one is a returning starter, indicating a potential overhaul of the team.
- Cruz emphasized the need for regulation, labeling the current system as “an absolute crisis.”
- He is actively working bipartisanly in Congress to address these challenges.
Introduction of the SCORE Act
In 2023, Cruz introduced the SCORE Act, aimed at tightening regulations around NIL deals and stabilizing college sports. This legislation seeks to provide the NCAA with a limited antitrust exemption, protecting it from lawsuits related to eligibility rules while ensuring that student-athletes do not become classified as employees of their universities.
- The SCORE Act is designed to preempt state laws that create confusion in the NIL landscape.
- It permits student-athletes to receive NIL compensation without mandatory unionization.
Bipartisan Support for College Sports Reform
The bill has garnered support from over 20 conservative groups, which advocate for the SCORE Act as a “common-sense” solution to the challenges faced by college athletes today. They suggest it allows student-athletes to operate as small business owners instead of unionized workers.
Additionally, the SCORE Act aims to ensure that schools share at least 22% of the average annual revenue generated from college sports, while prohibiting the use of student fees for NIL payments. This move is seen as necessary for maintaining the integrity of college sports.
Cruz’s efforts reflect a growing concern about the sustainability of college athletics, particularly in football, if significant reforms are not implemented promptly. He continues to advocate for a solution to what many are calling a college football crisis.
