NCAA President Charlie Baker is placing the responsibility on Congress to cement recent transformative changes in college sports through legislation. Baker, who replaced a predecessor advocating for federal intervention in college athletics, believes that the draft legislation under discussion in Washington aligns perfectly with the NCAA’s requests. Now, it is merely a matter of securing its passage.
Baker, previously a Massachusetts governor, noted that representatives had advised the NCAA to manage its internal affairs before seeking Congressional assistance. Under Baker’s leadership since 2023, the NCAA implemented new policies to enhance athlete benefits, such as improved post-graduate health care and scholarship security. Additionally, a landmark $2.8 billion lawsuit settlement was sanctioned by a judge last week, marking a pivotal reform.
A major shift from the settlement entails universities having the capability to compensate players directly through revenue-sharing models. For this initiative to be effectively sustained, Baker and the NCAA seek a limited antitrust protection that would shield against legal challenges to the established spending cap initiated by the settlement, which starts at $20.5 million annually. Draft legislation suggests this protection might be included.
Moreover, Baker proposed that any antitrust exemption might extend to eligibility rules, a point untouched by the settlement but currently contested in various lawsuits. The NCAA faces legal scrutiny over a traditional rule requiring athletes to complete their sports eligibility within five years. Baker expressed concerns about the impact on future athletes, warning that the absence of a structured sports calendar could yield significant negative outcomes.
Baker emphasized two other critical components required in the legislation:
Firstly, he called for a federal override of state regulations that establish disparate rules for athlete compensation, which could lead to unfair recruitment practices by state legislators attempting to favor their local public universities. Echoing Baker’s sentiment, Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey highlighted the challenges posed by a single conference operating under a dozen different state laws.
Secondly, Baker supported a prohibition against categorizing college athletes as employees. Although Tennessee Athletic Director Danny White recently suggested that collective bargaining could provide a way forward, Baker cautioned against this direction. He noted notable resistance from student-athletes who prefer maintaining their student identity over being classified as employees, voicing concerns about the potential academic repercussions.
Overall, Baker’s call to Congress reflects the NCAA’s endeavor to stabilize the evolving landscape of college athletics while addressing challenges posed by state law discrepancies and employment status debates.