They might be bitter rivals on the playing field, but the University of Alabama and Auburn University are staunch allies in the fight over the future of college athletics.
The two schools on Monday announced their joint opposition to the Protect College Sports Act, arguing the legislation would lead to more litigation and disorder, not less.
Together, the Iron Bowl institutions urged Congress not to advance the bipartisan legislation as it currently stands because it perpetuates “the very instability it claims to cure” in college sports.
The landmark bill, sponsored by U.S. Sens. Ted Cuz, R-Texas and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash, would set a national framework for student-athlete compensation, limit transfers and restrict coaches from switching jobs during a season. It would also create limited antitrust protections for the NCAA.
And the bi-partisan bill is moving. It has passed committee and is now headed to the Senate floor.
The Auburn and Alabama joint statement highlights four key points with which the universities oppose the legislation that aims to address the patchwork of laws around name, image and likeness.
First, the university leaders said the bill undermines the “implementation and enforcement of the rules established under the House settlement, including by narrowing the disclosure and enforcement tools needed to hold every program to the same standards.”
The Protect College Sports Act codifies portions of the 2025 House Settlement, which allows universities to share revenue with student-athletes.
Second, the statement outlined that the bill has “inadequate antitrust protection” and “too narrow” preemption standards that the schools argued would not fully address the patchwork of conflicting state NIL laws. Instead, the leaders wrote that the measure would create “new forms of liability through expanded private rights of action.”
Third, the schools wrote that the Senate legislation allows for too much federal control over college sports, such as meddling in “roster decisions, game scheduling, and internal governance.”
Under the legislation, the four biggest athletic conferences – the SEC, Big Ten, ACC and Big 12 – would be restricted from merging to create a super conference. The ACC and Big 12 were added to the restriction during revisions to the bill.
The Senate’s Protect College Sports Act also aims to provide protections for women’s and Olympic sports and guarantee scholarship and healthcare opportunities for student-athletes.
Finally, Alabama and Auburn leadership said the bill, which would allow universities to pool media rights, “punishes success rather than rewarding it.”
The country’s most dominant sports universities worry that pooling media rights would divert money away from their programs, while supporters argue it could help boost revenue for all schools.
“Auburn University and The University of Alabama both appreciate Congress’s attention to these challenges and share the goals of creating opportunities for and protecting student-athletes, sustaining women’s and Olympic sports, and promoting fair competition through a single, clear national set of rules. But this bill does not meet that standard,” the leaders wrote.
Scott Phelps of the University of Alabama Board of Trustees, James H. Sanford of the Auburn University Board of Trustees, Alabama President Dr. Peter Mohler and Auburn President Christopher B. Roberts signed the statement.
The announcement from the state’s largest universities follows in the footsteps of the SEC and Big 10, which are also opposed to the bill.
Former Auburn football coach and U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala, has been vocal about his dislike of the Senate measure. He has proposed his own bill that would focus solely on eligibility and the transfer portal.
But the Cruz-Cantwll bill has some big backers, including former Alabama Football Coach Nick Saban, 24 athletic conferences, and more than 250 colleges, according to Senate Commerce Committee Democrats.
On Sunday, NCAA President Charlie Baker defended the Protect College Sports Act in light of opposition from the largest athletic conferences.
“…to simply walk away from something that deals with a number of the most significant challenges that face college sports, at that point in time, in my view, it would be a mistake,” Baker said during an interview on CBS’ Face the Nation.
What’s next
After the Senate Commerce Committee advanced the Protect College Sports Act with bipartisan support by a vote of 19-9 last month, the full Senate can now take up the bill. It will need the support of 60 senators to pass the chamber.
The House has its own college sports bill, dubbed the SCORE Act, which is also waiting a floor vote. The legislation would create a similar framework for student-athlete compensation.
But the Congressional Black Caucus, including Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Mobile, an original cosponsor, has pulled support from the bill, stymying its chances in the lower chamber.
In the joint statement, the powerful Alabama schools don’t completely shut the door on future legislation that could address problems in college sports.
“Alabama and Auburn stand ready to work with their Congressional delegation and Members of both parties on a durable solution that protects student-athletes and preserves the ability of universities to compete and operate responsibly,” the leaders conclude.
UA and AU statement on the Protect College Sports Act by Trisha Powell Crain