• Loading stock data...
Thursday, April 24, 2025

Political Pressure Builds

  • The NCAA’s failures have sparked not just outside concern but also calls for intervention.
  • The NCAA launched an investigation into women’s sports inequality after lawmakers complained. And state legislatures drafted more NIL laws.
Photo: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY/Design: Alex Brooks

The failures have sparked not just outside concern but also calls for intervention.

The NCAA launched an investigation into women’s sports inequality after lawmakers complained. And state legislatures drafted more NIL laws, further pressuring the NCAA to pass its own rules by July.

Women’s Sports Scrutiny

On March 24, 36 House Democrats signed a letter to Emmert demanding that he “review” potential inequities across sports, according to the Washington Post. The letter said the NCAA should “adhere” to Title IX’s “principles” even if the governing body isn’t legally obligated to do so.

The next day, Emmert caved. He announced that the NCAA hired an outside law firm to investigate how resources for all championships have been distributed. He promised a full report this summer.

But the criticism kept coming: On March 29, Blumenthal reached across the aisle to co-author a letter with Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) expressing disgust with the inequities, and calling on the NCAA to “immediately” fix them.

Specifically, the senators took umbrage with testing disparity “that defies explanation and common sense,” the letter read. “It is indefensible that the NCAA would not set the same standards for both tournaments.”

Other groups outside Washington also pressured Emmert. The NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics called for an investigation, according to the Washington Post, while the Women’s Basketball Coaching Association launched a campaign called #OurFairShot.

NIL Movement

During the tournaments, state legislatures were busy drafting NIL laws.

During the week of the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight, for example, Mississippi passed an NIL bill that, similarly to Florida’s, would take effect July 1. The Georgia General Assembly passed a bill that awaits Gov. Brian Kemp’s signature.

Hawkeyes guard and #NotNCAAProperty advocate Jordan Bohannon helped push for an Iowa NIL law to pass. But the bill was stalled because of the pending NCAA v. Alston decision, Bohannon tweeted.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NC State women's cross country

Judge Threatens to Reject $2.8 Billion House v. NCAA Settlement

The NCAA and power conferences could end up at trial.
Dec 27, 2024; Memphis, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Miguel Mitchell (16) returns an interception during the forth quarter against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

NIL Contract Buyouts Are More Common, but Can They Be Enforced?

The Arkansas collective has issued two demand letters to players to pay buyouts.
Flau'jae Johnson
exclusive

Flau’jae Johnson Says She Will Return to LSU

The transfer portal closed Wednesday.
Fordham

Fordham Hit With Rare NIL Era NCAA Sanctions

The Rams were hit with recruiting violations stemming from a Times Square photo shoot.

Featured Today

Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after a three point basket against the Houston Cougars during the first half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.

Cooper Flagg’s Timing Is Perfect for the NBA and USA Basketball

The projected No. 1 pick just declared for the draft.
Apr 14, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Paige Bueckers is interviewed by ESPN after being selected with the number one overall pick to the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards
April 21, 2025

ESPN’s WNBA Coverage Mirrors the League’s Stunning Growth

“I don’t think we stand still in our coverage of women’s sports,” says Rowe.
Mar 16, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates with guard Isaiah Joe (11) after score in the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum.
April 20, 2025

Unorthodox OKC: The Thunder Redefined Tanking to Become NBA’s Best

A rebuild years in the making has OKC in the driver’s seat.
Mar 13, 2020; Augusta, GA, USA; The front entrance at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Friday morning. The Masters Tournament has been postponed due to coronavirus concerns.
opinion
April 20, 2025

What’s It Like to Play Augusta? A Day on the World’s Most..

Inside a round at the most exclusive club in the world.
Mar 20, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; McNeese State Cowboys guard Quadir Copeland (11) brings the ball up court against Clemson Tigers forward Ian Schieffelin (4) during the second half at Amica Mutual Pavilion.

Why College Players Without NCAA Eligibility Are Flooding the Transfer Portal

Athletes nationwide hope legal challenges will win them extra eligibility.
April 21, 2025

UCLA’s Joey Aguilar Transferring to Tennessee in Quarterback Swap

UCLA quarterback Joey Aguilar will trade places with Tennessee’s Nico Iamaleava.
Charlie Baker
April 22, 2025

NCAA Increases Lobbying Spending in First Months of Trump

The governing body spent $450,000 on lobbying during the first quarter.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

This week, Two-time Super Bowl Champion and CBS NFL analyst Logan Ryan joins us to talk the business of sports on our third installment of Portfolio Players.
Dec 30, 2022; Glendale AZ, USA; The College Football Playoff logo on the field at State Farm Stadium, the site of the 2022 CFP Semifinal between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Michigan Wolverines and Super Bowl 57 (LVII).
April 21, 2025

CFP Format Questions Loom Over Spring Meetings

The CFP management committee is meeting in Dallas this week.
Mar 20, 2025; Wichita, KS, USA; Georgia Bulldogs guard Silas Demary Jr. (5) dribbles against Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Emmanuel Innocenti (5) in the second half of a first round men’s NCAA Tournament game at Intrust Bank Arena.
April 21, 2025

NCAA Transfer Portal Hits Record Numbers—Again

The transfer portal closes April 22.
Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) throws during the second half of the College Football Playoff first round game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Dec. 22, 2024. Ohio State won 42-17.
April 20, 2025

Former Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava Will Transfer to UCLA

The news ends a weeklong saga for the embattled quarterback.
Ohio
April 17, 2025

Oregon Sues Former Running Backs Coach Over $200K Buyout Dispute

Carlos Locklyn and his former employer are fighting over his contract terms.