The SCORE Act will have to garner the 60 votes needed in the Senate, but a “bipartisan, all-encompassing college sports bill originating” from the Senate itself might have a chance, according to Ross Dellenger of ON3.com. Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell and their staffs have been “engrossed in negotiations for more than two months over such legislation.” Their discussions are “intense enough that leading college athletic executives are publicly talking about them.” ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips said, “They’re close. They’re going to bring something to the Senate. I’m cautiously optimistic about that.” Dellenger writes the talks have expedited, but there “remain disagreements -- even impasses -- on several key issues, including transfer limitations, eligibility standards and employment.” While a significant step, bipartisan Senate legislation “would only serve as the kickoff.” There would “still be a long way to go: public fights, committee battles and floor arguments.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has “empowered Cantwell to tackle this issue for the Democratic side.” President Donald Trump is “publicly and privately urging Cruz to get something done.” On Tuesday, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey and Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti visited Cantwell and Cruz, as well as other lawmakers, “presumably encouraging them to pass legislation.” The SCORE Act, with “no chance to pass the Senate,” SCORE’s House passage would “signal a significant step and may expedite Senate talks” (ON3.com, 5/14).
Senate could create bipartisan college sports bill if votes needed for SCORE Act not met
