Ross Bjork, Ted Cruz announce plan to host press conference regarding NIL legislation

Texas A&M athletics director Ross Bjork and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) have announced plans to host a press conference about federal NIL legislation on Saturday ahead of the game against Alabama, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. The fight for federal help has been ongoing, but an interesting week in Washington D.C. has led to some questions.

Cruz has been at at the center of the conversation regarding NIL, and On3 previously reported his office worked on a discussion draft over the summer. The bill would ensure athletes are not employees and also include a state law preemption. It would also bar states from enacting laws on compensation, employment status, athlete eligibility or NIL. 

Cruz also spent time with Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) after returning to D.C. and is the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce. Tuberville has been working on the Pass Act, which would address multiple facets the NCAA has been looking for in federal legislation — from uniform contracts to state NIL law preemption and an agent registry run by the FTC. Cruz could help push the bill forward.

Tommy Tuberville: The ball is going to be in Ted Cruz’s court ‘pretty soon’ regarding Pass Act, NIL legislation

Some of the language in Cruz’s draft is also in Tuberville’s act. However, Cruz could also opt to add in an antitrust exemption for the NCAA.

Tuberville told On3 the health insurance part of the Pass Act was part of his plan to make it a bipartisan effort. He also didn’t rule out revenue sharing.

“I put in the health provision because it was big for me, but it was also big for the Democrats to be able to take care of health care after competition,” Tuberville said. “I think that’s really helped now. Ted knows his committee better than I do. We started some talks last week, kind of came up with some ideas and let him spread out amongst the committee that might help him get the majority vote of the committee to get it passed and sent to the floor. 

“That’s going to be his call. So, Joe and I, did about all we could do. We did all the research and the background. The ball’s going to be in Ted’s court pretty soon.”

Greg Sankey: Recent events in Washington D.C. impact ability to have ‘ongoing conversations’ about legislation

The fight for federal NIL legislation continued last month when officials met in front of the House Committee on Small Business. However, things in D.C. have taken turns since then. This week, the House of Representatives voted Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) out of his position. That means the House is currently run by Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-NC) until a vote occurs to replace McCarthy.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey noted the turmoil in Washington D.C. earlier this week on The Paul Finebaum Show and said the topic came up during the SEC athletics director meetings. The lack of clarity could have an impact on the timeline for federal legislation regarding NIL.

“The last five, six, seven days in Washington, D.C. have been not exactly the smoothest sailing, if you will,” Sankey said. “That has impacts on the ability for us to have ongoing conversations about the need for Congressional engagement and action to make sure we support college athletics in the most healthy way possible moving forward.”