U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in an interview Wednesday said that Congress “might run out of time to act” on advancing NCAA legislation if it “can’t find a bipartisan solution in the coming months,” according to Dan Murphy of ESPN.com. During a yearslong effort to restore order to the college sports industry, Republicans and Democrats have “remained largely divided on whether college athletes should have a future avenue for collective bargaining,” which would “require them to be employees.” Cruz said, “Clarifying that student athletes are not employees is absolutely critical. Without it, we will see enormous and irreparable damage to college sports.” Cruz and NCAA leaders say that “many smaller schools would not be able to afford their teams if athletes had to be paid and receive benefits as employees.” However, as lawsuits over player contracts and eligibility rules continue to mount, a “growing number” of frustrated coaches and ADs from major programs say that they are “open to collective bargaining as a solution.” Senate Commerce Committee staff said that Cruz and a bipartisan group of senators have “made significant progress on a new draft of a bill” but are “at an impasse on the employment issue” (ESPN.com, 1/29).
Cruz: Bipartisan breakthrough needed soon on NCAA bill
