Weekend Wrap

The National College Players Association sent a letter to Congress to “pursue broad-based reform” as opposed to adopting bills that would preempt any state-level laws around compensation for student-athletes. The letter asks lawmakers to decline legislation that would make competitive equity impossible in college athletics.

A bill introduced in the U.S. Senate earlier this month would require the NCAA to make rule changes regarding athletes’ ability to make money from their name, image and likeness while giving the association protection from legal challenges to the new regulations. That bill, which would set a deadline for the NCAA of June 30, 2021, would supersede the laws previously passed in California, Colorado, and Florida but which have not gone into effect.

The letter addressed other subjects that it said were “much more important than NIL compensation,” like health and safety standards, sexual assault issues, and the rising number of COVID-19 cases on campuses after the NCAA allowed the resumption of team activities.

Other Top Headlines From This Weekend:

— Morehouse College has canceled all fall sports, including football, because of COVID-19. Four games involving historically black colleges have been canceled this fall.

— The NWSL returned to play, and nearly all of the players in the first two games kneeled during the national anthem.

— The NBA said it will have virtual concerts and half-time performances, “tap-to-cheer” programs for fans to light up seats, and new camera angles when the league returns to play. Other ideas include a virtual grandstand as well as branded sponsorship tarps over the empty seats. The league is also working with the NBPA to allow players to wear jerseys with personalized social justice messages on the backs instead of their last names.

— The Indianapolis 500 will welcome a 50% capacity crowd on its rescheduled date of August 23. Seats will be realigned for more space, while masks and hand sanitizer will be provided to fans.