• Loading stock data...
Friday, August 22, 2025
The biggest names in sports media. All in one room. Buy tickets now!

Why College Football Coaches Are Investing in Federal Lobbying

With Congress likely to regulate college sports, a group representing football coaches wants to make sure their voices are heard.

The United States Capitol during the certification of votes by Congress making Donald Trump president on Jan. 6, 2025.
Imagn Images

College football coaches are the latest group to join the crowded field of college sports stakeholders all jockeying for a say in the future of NCAA sports. 

The American Football Coaches Association, which comprises 11,000 football coaches across the high school and college landscape, hired two lobbying groups this month: Chet Culver Group and Capitol Counsel. 

The NCAA and power conferences have been involved in a multimillion-dollar federal lobbying campaign since 2019 to save their amateurism business model. As it’s become clear Congress could move to regulate—and reshape—college sports, others have begun to follow their lead, including The Collective Association (representing dozens of NIL collectives), several Olympic sports coaches associations, and now football coaches.

But unlike the NCAA and power conferences, the AFCA isn’t aiming to save a business model, or the entire NCAA. They say they want to ensure the health and longevity of college football with more clarity and regulation on issues from agent certification to roster management.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas), who chairs the Senate Commerce Committee, has said getting a bill to President Trump’s desk is one of his main priorities—but there’s been no concrete movement in this current Congress yet (though the session began just a few weeks ago). So the AFCA has an opportunity to get lawmakers’ attention before any new legislation is introduced.

Capitol Counsel cofounding partner David Jones tells Front Office Sports the organization hopes to help the AFCA through education and advocacy. “Coaches are obviously on the front lines, they’ve got the players’ concerns at heart,” he says. “So that’s our job, really—is to make sure they’re informed and have a seat at the table.”

As of now, AFCA executive director Craig Bohl hopes Congress will consider a few specific issues. The first: the lack of regulation for NIL agents, many of whom have been accused of taking advantage of young athletes. “You have people that will claim to be agents that are going and representing student-athletes,” he said. “They’re not regulated. You have some young people that are now listening, and when their back’s up against the wall, they don’t understand what their value is at.” 

Bohl also highlights an issue coaches have been vocal about for the entire season: the transfer portal. Players are currently allowed to transfer as many times as they want, meaning coaches have to re-recruit their entire roster every year—a situation that many have described as untenable. Players “should have the ability to go on the open market,” Bohl says, adding, “within the balance of being able to have some order and roster stability for these programs.” 

The organization has not taken a formal position, however, on the best way to remedy these issues. For example, it hasn’t decided whether athletes should be considered employees, or whether collective bargaining is the best way forward for college football. (Collective bargaining is used by employees—athletes in this case—to negotiate contracts with employers and determine pay, salary caps, and free-agency rules.)

“If you look at the NFL, many of their challenges have been solved with collective bargaining,” Bohl says, citing issues including tampering and contract negotiations. The group is still “vetting” the concept.

But ultimately, Bohl hopes lawmakers will simply hear their concerns. “We’ve got the knowledge on really where the ball is at right now,” Bohl says. “We feel like we could add a great deal of perspective.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 2, 2024; Rosemont, IL, USA; Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti speaks with the media during the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Basketball media day at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

‘Not Ready to Jump In’: Power 4 Commissioners Aren’t Sold on PE

Top leaders in college sports have yet to see a satisfactory proposal.
McDonald's All-American

NCAA Considers Making High School Athletes Register NIL Deals

The rule would likely be tested in court if adopted.
Nov 23, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks at quarterback Drew Allar (15) during the first quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium.

Private Equity Enters College Sports—Without the Equity

As college football starts, lending agreements have become PE’s best way in.

SEC Adopts 9-Game Conference Schedule As CFP Changes Loom

The conference matches schedule formats used by the Big Ten and Big 12.

Featured Today

Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) returns a kickoff against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at MetLife Stadium.

‘Fauxbacks’ Throw Back to a Retro Uniform That Never Existed

Many throwback jerseys are brand-new designs or “Franken-Unis.”
August 17, 2025

‘Labubu Gang’: The Creepy-Cute Dolls Sweeping Pro Sports

The creepy-cute doll is the hottest collectible—and fashion statement.
Middle Tennessee wide receiver Cam'ron Lacy (86) catches a pass and carries the ball during the season final home football game against New Mexico State on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.
August 15, 2025

How Middle Tennessee State Added $668,000 to Its NIL Budget

The Blue Raiders are creating a new blueprint for cutting costs.
Bridgewater American 12U Little League player Micah Poulter holds a District 7 pin during a send-off rally to the New England regional tournament in Bristol, Connecticut, from Legion Field on Friday, August 2, 2024.
August 14, 2025

Inside the Little League World Series Pin Trade

The rare little collectibles fuel a frenzy in Williamsport each summer.
Pat Fitzgerald

Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern Settle Lawsuit Over Firing

Fitzgerald has insisted he had no knowledge of hazing on the team.
Julian Edelman
August 19, 2025

Julian Edelman: ‘Outrageous’ NIL Makes Colleges ‘Look Like an NFL Parking Lot’

The Patriots legend called the current state of college football the “Wild West.”
Justin Harrington (4) runs drills during an OU football practice in Norman, Okla., on Monday, Aug. 7, 2023.
August 21, 2025

Federal Courts Lean Toward Striking NCAA JUCO Eligibility Restrictions

A federal judge granted four West Virginia football players eligibility this year.
Sponsored

Building A Pro League From Scratch

Front Office Sports and Gainbridge® spotlight what it takes to build a professional women’s soccer league.
August 19, 2025

Virginia Tech’s Perceived $56M Budget Gap Shows New Challenges

Virginia Tech AD Whit Babcock wants a $200 million budget.
August 19, 2025

Texas AD Del Conte Signs $38M Deal, but Still Not Highest-Paid AD

Del Conte could receive another raise before the new expiration date.
Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Woodi Washington (5) runs after a reception during the Armed Forces Bowl football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Navy Midshipmen at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024.
August 19, 2025

Oklahoma Selling Fans Tickets to Press Conferences

Press conference tickets for the Sooners’ season opener are already sold out.
Nov 30, 2024; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders offensive guard Sterling Porcher (79) blocks for quarterback Behren Morton (2) in the second half during the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field.
August 19, 2025

The Texas Oil Billionaire Leading the Newest College Sports Lobbying Effort

The Texas oil billionaire appears to have an ally in President Trump.