Chairmen Guthrie and Walberg Issue Statement on Senate NIL Proposal

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-05), Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, issued the following statement:

“We appreciate the recent effort in the Senate to engage in the college sports conversation and are encouraged to see several concepts carried over from the SCORE Act. However, any lasting framework must confront the central issue that continues to cast uncertainty over the future of college sports: whether student-athletes will ultimately be treated as employees. Congress cannot deliver real stability, consistency, or certainty to schools, conferences, and student-athletes while leaving that question unresolved,” said Chairmen Guthrie and Walberg.

“Without addressing employment, smaller universities along with women's and Olympic programs may face massive financial burdens and be forced to cut programs and scholarships across their athletic departments.

“Between employment uncertainty, a private right of action that could invite years of costly litigation, and vastly expanding the scope of the bill, we are concerned this may inadvertently further destabilize college athletics.”