Congress Hearing Highlights Spending Arms Race in College Sports
Lawmakers grilled college sports leaders about the money driving the industry—from NIL and the transfer portal to spiraling roster costs and coaching salaries. Supporters of the Protect College Sports Act argue for funding certainty, but critics say the bill mainly reshuffles rules rather than reining in spending on players or programs; even Nick Saban warned that ballooning pay could blur the line with professional sports. An active athlete urged including student-athlete voices, but the piece argues real reform requires schools to change how they operate and treat athletes as peers rather than profit engines.
