• Loading stock data...
Friday, January 17, 2025

Olympic Sport College Coaches Hire Lobbyists Amid NCAA Upheaval

  • The news comes amid a major upheaval in the economics of college sports.
  • There’s concern that schools would have to cut funding or eliminate certain Olympic sports programs.
Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

NCAA Olympic sports coaches are lobbying up to preserve the future of their sports.

A group of college coaching associations for Olympic sports—from baseball to track and field—have hired lobbying firm FGS Global to represent them in ensuring that Olympic sports survive despite major changes to the NCAA business model, according to federal disclosures reviewed by Front Office Sports. The news was first reported by Politico.

FGS Global said in disclosure forms that it was hired to develop “a federal solution that protects Olympic sports programs and broad-based sports sponsorship.” 

The news comes amid major disruption in the economics of college sports that administrators nationwide have suggested could result in the deterioration of Olympic sports. It’s an issue Congress is likely to be concerned with, given that NCAA Olympic sports provide the main Olympic pipeline for Team USA.

In October, the NCAA and power conferences received preliminary approval for a multibillion-dollar settlement in the House v. NCAA case. If it gets final approval in April, schools will be allowed to begin sharing up to $22 million in annual revenue with players—something all power conference schools, as well as many other Division I programs, are intending to do. As schools look to fund the revenue-sharing agreement, they’ve raised concerns that they would have to cut funding or altogether eliminate certain Olympic sports programs, from field hockey to gymnastics, that don’t generate as much revenue as college football and basketball programs.

The settlement also eliminates scholarship limits—but, in doing so, imposes new roster restrictions. The result: Olympic athletes across the country, who have previously received or accepted offers to play a sport in college, have already begun to lose their roster spots, according to Yahoo Sports. (Lawyers involved in the case said they are working on a solution.)

The NCAA, conference, and school administrators have also threatened to cut Olympic sports if athletes are declared employees because they’d have to divert funding to pay salaries. 

The NCAA and power conferences have spent millions on a sophisticated federal lobbying campaign to preserve amateurism—an effort which they claim would save Olympic sports. They’re specifically asking for a law that provides antitrust protections and prevents athletes from being classified as professionals. 

But clearly, coaching associations believe they need their own advocates. FGS Global is part of that NCAA/power conference effort, however, as a longtime lobbyist for the Big Ten. The firm worked for the Big Ten as recently as this past quarter, according to lobbying disclosures, but it’s unclear whether that relationship will continue or be seen as a conflict of interest given its new clients. FGS Global did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

FGS Global is one of several newer players entering the college sports lobbying scene. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee has also begun lobbying efforts around NCAA revenue-sharing proposals, according to Politico. The Collective Association, which represents dozens of NIL (name, image, and likeness) collectives nationwide, has retained Tidal Basin Advisors. And major unions with existing lobbying infrastructures, like the AFL-CIO, may engage in lobbying to maintain athletes’ right to be deemed employees and collectively bargain; they’ve already made public statements, along with pro sports unions, saying they’re in favor of that position. 

Conversations around the NCAA issue have slowed during election season, but are expected to pick back up again after Nov. 5. The outcome of the election—especially how Senate contests play out—could dictate whether the NCAA gets the pro-amateurism law it’s been begging for since 2020.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jan 15, 2025; Long Beach, California, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Kendall Dudley (22), forward Timea Gardiner (30), guard Avary Cain (2) and forward Zania Socka-Nguemen (6) react in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at the Walter Pyramid at Long Beach State.

Education Dept. Says Title IX Applies to College Athlete Revenue-Sharing

Title IX protects students from sex-based discrimination in schools.

Angel Reese Raves About Unrivaled: ‘This Is What the Women Deserve’

She said Thursday that the pressure is on the WNBA to step up its game.

‘Brady Rules’ Tested As He Calls Game Featuring Raiders Coach Targets

Brady will be on the call for Fox’s broadcast of Commanders-Lions.

Australian Open Animating Matches on YouTube in Broadcast Loophole

The animated players have drawn comparisons to Wii Sports characters.

Featured Today

Showboats’ Daewood Davis (2) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the UFL game between the San Antonio Brahmas and Memphis Showboats in Simmons Liberty Bank Stadium in Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn., on Saturday, April 6, 2024.

The UFL Is Primed for Success—If It Can Resist Its Impulse for..

The spring football league must buck temptation if it wants to succeed.
Race leader and eventual stage winner Primož ROGLIČ (SVN/RedBull-Bora-Hansgrohe) in the final kilometer up the finish climb of stage 19 from Logroño to Alto De Moncalvillo (ESP/168km) of the 79th La Vuelta Ciclista a España 2024 on 6 September. // Kristof Ramon / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202409060905 // Usage for editorial use only //Primož ROGLIČ (SVN/RedBull-Bora-Hansgrohe) congratulated by teammate Florian LIPOWITZ (DEU/RedBull - BORA - hansgrohe) after a very strong stage 13 from Lugo to Puerto De Ancares (ESP/171km) of the 79th La Vuelta Ciclista a España 2024 on 30 August
January 13, 2025

Red Bull Is on a Hot Streak in Sports. Can It Win..

The company is betting on a big future in cycling.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) knocks the ball out of the hands of Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) and returns the fumble for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Cotton Bowl Classic during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on January, 10, 2025.
January 11, 2025

College Football Is Closer Than Ever to Perfecting the Championship Process

Despite valid criticisms, the first expanded Playoff is working.
Jan 2, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman (R) reacts on the sidelines in the final minute against the Georgia Bulldogs during the fourth quarter at Caesars Superdome.
January 9, 2025

Amid Realignment Mania, Notre Dame Stayed Independent. It Paid Off

How the CFP semifinal-bound Fighting Irish made their business model work.
Juju Watkins

Women’s March Madness Finally Getting Own ‘Units’ Payments

The prize money will start at $15 million for the 2025 tournament.
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard (18) yells instructions to his team during the College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on Friday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.
January 14, 2025

CFP Semifinals TV Ratings Drop 17% in 12-Team Format’s First Year

This year’s semifinal games averaged 19.2 million viewers on ESPN.
Quinn Ewers
January 15, 2025

Quinn Ewers Picks NFL Over NIL

Ewers likely won’t earn more than $6 million in his rookie year.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Deion Sanders
exclusive
January 13, 2025

Colorado Is Latest School to Ditch NIL Collective Ahead of House Settlement

The collective had launched in March 2024.
exclusive
January 11, 2025

Carson Beck Has Scored Nearly $10M in NIL Deals in 12 Months:..

A source says the $4 million figure attributed to Canes Connection is inaccurate.
January 10, 2025

With National Title in Sight, Ohio State’s Ryan Day Closes In on..

“It’s what life’s all about,” Day said of the doubters he faced.
Dec 27, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Helmets at the line fo scrimmage as DUPLICATE***Southern California Trojans long snapper Hank Pepper (31) snaps the ball against the Texas A&M Aggies at Allegiant Stadium.
January 10, 2025

Another College Athlete Employment Movement Dies Ahead of NLRB’s Expected Swing

The union representing Dartmouth athletes withdrew its petition recently, too.