What seemed to be a quiet Friday evening has turned into a whirlwind of events that could shape the future of college athletics. It began with a couple of injunctions being granted, including one out of Colorado that ruled all athletes in the high school class of 2022 eligible for a fifth season of play, and ended (maybe) with the Big Ten and SEC releasing a joint statement on the highly scrutinized Protect College Sports Act that is trying to get passed.
Ross Dellenger of Yahoo!Sports chronicled the evening as he released the information that the Big Ten was meeting on Friday and had voted to back the PCSA and that the SEC would hold their own meeting later. Shortly after he released the news that the SEC would also back the bill, the Big Ten and SEC released the following statement:
The Big Ten Conference and Southeastern Conference support the Protect College Sports Act as currently drafted, following detailed and productive negotiations with Senators Cruz, Cantwell and Schmitt, and their respective staffs. We appreciate the substantial work that has gone into this effort.
Earlier in the eveing the NCAA released a statement as well
“Without targeted intervention from Congress, college sports cannot set nationwide rules everyone can play by and without Congress, failed professionals will continue to use college sports as a fallback option — robbing the next class of young athletes of college scholarships. It is long past time leaders across college sports call for the immediate passage of the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act — a bill supported by student-athlete leaders, Democrats, Republicans and NCAA schools from all three divisions. Today’s rulings and the chaos they bring to college sports are exactly why it’s time to pass this bill.”
At Big Ten Media Days, commissioner Tony Petitti hinted that things could come together this week.
“We recognize it’s not going to be perfect for us in every one of those places, but at the end of the day, when the conference gets the Bill, hopefully (Tuesday), and we work through it, are we in a position where it does a lot more — it provides a lot more help than not.If we can get to that place, then we can move into a position very quickly to support it.” Pettiti said.
There is a chance the bill could go to the floor for a vote this weekend or next week. Congress goes on recess next Friday until the middle of September.
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