No drama gains as much traction as those with a powerful villain. Having gained committee approval, supporters of the proposed 'Protect College Sports Act' are pushing for a July Senate vote. The SEC and the Big Ten remain opposed. More than one senator believes the lack of support from college football's two most powerful conferences increases the chances for the legislation to pass.
Washington Senator Maria Cantwell has stepped into the bully pulpit not just to argue for the bill's passage but to chastise conference commissioners. Cantwell said, "People have to wake up. The politics of these [conference] commissioners moving around deck chairs [with realignment] and making millions of dollars themselves and not thinking about the broad interest to solve these problems has led us to this point."
Cantwell's words were targeted at the SEC's Greg Sankey and the Big Ten's Tony Petitti. According to Ross Dellenger's reporting, Cantwell accused the SEC and the B1G of intimidation and threats. Dellenger described her three-minute statement as a tongue lashing that included: "What we did today is say we're not going to let the most powerful and richest conferences dictate to the rest of America what's going to happen to 500,000 athletes. intimidation. They need our help, they asked for it, and today, we are giving it."
The SEC and the Big Ten responded to Cantwell's comments with a statement that included: "Senator Cantwell's characterization of the Big Ten and SEC engagement regarding the Protect College Sports Act does not accurately reflect the process that has occurred."
Cantwell knows she must rally the votes of Democratic senators, because some Republican senators will likely break ranks with Senator Ted Cruz and vote against the legislation. Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville has already said he is opposed. If the bill makes it to the Senate floor, it will require 60 votes to pass.
One sentence in Dellenger's story suggested that Cantwell might be making some progress by demonizing the SEC and the Big Ten: "Some may even view the absence of their support as a positive."
Nick Saban support of 'Protect College Sports Act'
Alabama Crimson Tide fans recall that Nick Saban supports the legislation, despite his opinion that the act has some flaws and omissions. If Saban continues his support, perhaps he can sway a few senators, especially former coachTuberville.
Harsh words and theatrics will get the most notice, but there are serious problems damaging college sports that the bill tries to remedy. Though time is short for action, maybe resolution of crucial differences is possible.
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