SEC & B1G oppose “Protect College Sports Act"

The SEC and Big Ten conferences released a joint statement on Tuesday in opposition to the Protect College Sports Act proposed in the U.S Congress.

The bill would provide the NCAA with an antitrust exemption to enforce several rules that have been recently challenged in court. The act recently received the endorsement of the ACC and Big-12 conferences.

However, the Big Ten and SEC feel the bill does not address the critical issue of preempting state laws with a federal one, which has long been considered a key element for a measure to get support from the NCAA and the conferences. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who drafted the bill with Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., told The Associated Press "the bill is drafted to preempt state laws that conflict with the provisions in this bill.”

Then, why are the SEC and Big Ten opposed?

The Big Ten and SEC have total decision-making power over the future of the College Football Playoff. As a result, those conferences have a dominant financial position over the Big-12 and ACC.

A key provision of the bill would give conferences an option to pool their media rights, an idea the Big Ten and SEC have long claimed would not result in a financial windfall that proponents suggest. If true, why should the “Super Two” be in opposition? Wouldn't that just increase the revenue gap? Why are they against protecting college athletics?

The Senate Commerce Committee. chaired by senator Cruz with senator Cantwell as the ranking democrat, will conduct a hearing this week on Capital Hill.

BOTTOM LINE:

This legislation is a battle between the SEC/B1G ad the ACC/Big12 over control of college football, the money cow.

GO CANES!