New York Yankees President Randy Levine warned that college athletics is on the brink of collapse and urged Congress to act this year to prevent further destabilization.
“We are where people have been warning we would be if no action took place,” Levine said. “This represents the decimation of the idea of a student athlete, to a transformation of college sports—principally football and men’s basketball—into minor leagues for professional sports.”
Levine attributed the crisis to recent court rulings on athlete eligibility.
“Bad, bad legal decisions have led to a one-year transfer pool, which is the equivalent of one-year free agency in professional sports,” he said. “Students are entitled to be paid for their name, image and likeness, but there’s no uniform set of rules.”
The Protect College Sports Act, sponsored by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.), cleared the Senate Commerce Committee with a 19-9 vote in June. A floor vote stalled before the August recess, but supporters hope for consideration next month.
The bill would establish a five-year eligibility window beginning after an athlete’s earliest enrollment in college, 19th birthday, high school graduation or expected graduation date. It also permits one unrestricted transfer, with a second requiring a year of sitting out unless an exception applies. The measure would create federal name, image and likeness (NIL) rights and add scholarship and health care protections.
“It doubles the revenue for name, image and likeness for college students,” Levine said. “One transfer in five years, eligibility that everybody knows and understands. No professional sports people coming back. You sign a contract, and that’s it—you’re a pro.”
Levine noted that 360 universities, the NCAA, athletic conferences and President Donald Trump have endorsed the measure. When the bill advanced in June, the Senate Commerce Committee reported public support from 267 colleges and universities and 24 athletic conferences.
The legislation would grant schools, conferences and intercollegiate athletic associations limited antitrust protection when enforcing rules related to eligibility, transfers, recruiting and compensation.
Critics argue that such protections, combined with revenue caps and transfer restrictions, could suppress earnings for athletes and coaches. They also contend that provisions affecting conference membership and collective media rights deals might reduce competition.
Levine warned that schools cannot sustain current spending levels. “They’re taking endowment money that should go to furthering the education of students,” he said. “Schools then raise student fees and cut Olympic and non-revenue sports. If we don’t pass this legislation in this Congress, I’m fearful to say the whole situation may just implode.”
Levine serves as vice chair of the Saving College Sports Roundtable created by Trump.
By Solange Reyner
