Protect College Sports Act Stalls in House Over Florida Schools’ Pushback
The Protect College Sports Act faces delays in the House as Florida schools challenge realignment rules.
2 min read
The Protect College Sports Act, which passed the U.S. Senate, is facing significant hurdles in the House of Representatives due to resistance from two Florida schools, Florida State and Miami. Both institutions are pushing back against the bill’s realignment restrictions, which they believe could hinder their ability to challenge the ACC’s exit rules.
Florida Schools Push for Flexibility
According to Sport&State, Florida State and Miami are lobbying for more flexibility in the realignment rules. The Senate version of the bill was already modified when Florida Republican Representative Ashley Moody successfully raised the conference membership cap from 19 to 20 by a voice vote. However, the two schools remain concerned about the restrictions, which they fear could limit their ability to compete in the broader college sports landscape.
Industry Leaders Express Concern
New York Yankees president Randy Levine, also president and vice chair of President Donald Trump’s Saving College Sports Roundtable, has voiced his frustration with the two schools. Levine emphasized the bipartisan support the bill received in the Senate, where it secured 77 votes. He criticized Miami and Florida State for undermining the bill despite claiming it is beneficial for college sports.
Levine warned that several more changes are likely in the House, which means the bill will have to return to the Senate for approval before it can be sent to the president for signing. However, the timeline is uncertain, as House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has stated that the House will not take up the bill until after the midterm elections.
Uncertain Future for the Bill
It is also unlikely the Senate will re-approve the bill before the end of the year, even if the House completes its revisions and sends it back in November or December. As a result, the Protect College Sports Act is expected to stall for the remainder of the year and may not be revisited until January or February, or even later in the Senate.
The ongoing debate highlights the tensions between institutional interests and broader reform efforts in college sports, with the fate of the bill now hinging on political and procedural developments in the coming months.
Source: Breitbart
