Report: White House presses pause on presidential college sports commission
There wasn't, but there was going to be. Now, it's not happening.
Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports, citing unnamed Congressional sources, reports that the White House is 'pressing pause' on the planned commission. Dellenger explains that the move is possibly rooted in the potential impact of the commission on Senate negotiations regarding legislation that would address the current chaos in college sports.
Separately, Amanda Christovich of FrontOfficeSports.com reports that plans for a commission are on hold, and that the White House has made no final decisions regarding efforts to reform college sports.
Even without a commission, it appears that the federal government remains intent on 'fixing' college sports. That task should fall to the universities. Decades of blatant antitrust violations have come home to roost, and the current problems flow from the NCAA and its members: (1) making the current mess; and (2) refusing to clean it up on their own.
They want it both ways. They crave the antitrust-exemption benefits of having a nationwide union without having to deal with the duties and responsibilities of unionized players.
Through it all, will the players' interests be properly represented? A commission co-chaired by Nick Saban undoubtedly would have steamrolled player rights under the guise of pretending to know and protect their 'best interests.' Congress may end up doing the same thing.
The overriding question remains. Why does college football need a Hail Mary from Uncle Sam? Doesn't Congress have better things to do than to help restore the imbalance that previously existed?
Apparently not. College football has created this problem through greed, and it has now bootstrapped it into a crisis that requires Congressional intervention.
That intervention undoubtedly will limit player compensation and freedom of movement. Without altering in any way the unfettered ability of coaches to maximize both their revenue and their ability to jump from job to job to job.
It's hypocritical. It's wrong. For the schools who have had their oxen gored by the belated application of antitrust laws to a corrupt system, it's just what the doctor ordered.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Politico
27 minutes ago
- Politico
Winklevoss twins pump $21M into new crypto super PAC
The Digital Freedom Fund PAC is at least the third super PAC aimed at supporting pro-crypto candidates. Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss have emerged as influential players on the right, especially on cryptocurrency policy issues. |By Jasper Goodman 08/20/2025 03:58 PM EDT Cryptocurrency billionaires Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss said Wednesday they are pouring $21 million into a new group aimed at supporting conservative candidates who are friendly toward the digital assets industry, creating a new source of crypto campaign cash that is poised to shake up the 2026 midterms. The new group the twins are funding, the Digital Freedom Fund PAC, is at least the third super PAC aimed at supporting pro-crypto candidates. Unlike the largest crypto super PAC, a deep-pocketed group known as Fairshake that backs industry-friendly candidates in both parties, the Winklevoss-backed effort appears aimed at supporting only Republicans. The group 'will identify and support champions of President Trump's crypto agenda in primary races and the midterm elections,' Tyler Winklevoss said on X Wednesday. He added that if Republicans lose their majorities in Congress, 'Democrats will have power to slow down and interfere with' President Donald Trump's agenda.
Politico
34 minutes ago
- Politico
Obama backs California effort to redraw districts in response to Texas
Former President Barack Obama is supporting California's mid-cycle redistricting effort as a 'responsible approach' to Republicans drawing new maps in Texas. Obama praised California Gov. Gavin Newsom's ballot measure proposal to redraw congressional districts and tilt at least five congressional districts in the state towards Democrats at a fundraiser on Tuesday for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. 'I believe that Governor Newsom's approach is a responsible approach,' he said, according to excerpts obtained by POLITICO. 'I think that approach is a smart, measured approach, designed to address a very particular problem in a very particular moment in time.' California Democrats are expected this week to allow voters to bypass an independent commission established by voters and decide whether to approve the new partisan maps for the next three election cycles in response to the Republican's move in Texas. Obama's remarks comes as both parties in California gear up for what is expected to be a hard-fought campaign over the ballot initiative to redraw political boundaries in the state in response to President Donald Trump's efforts to keep the House in Republican hands in the 2026 midterms. The former president said redrawing the lines is 'not my preference,' but that the Democratic-led effort in California is 'responsible' in this context. 'We cannot unilaterally allow one of the two major parties to rig the game,' he said. 'And California is one of the states that has the capacity to offset a large state like Texas.' The Associated Press first reported Obama's remarks. Obama said he hopes that the NDRC and national Democrats will work to eliminate partisan gerrymandering as a 'long-term goal,' but applauded Newsom's response to the new Texas maps and Trump's broader campaign to push other red states to draw new, more favorable maps. 'Given that Texas is taking direction from a partisan White House that is effectively saying: gerrymander for partisan purposes so we can maintain the House despite our unpopular policies, redistrict right in the middle of a decade between censuses — which is not how the system was designed; I have tremendous respect for how Governor Newsom has approached this,' he said. Newsom thanked Obama for his support in a social media post and promised that California's redistricting proposal will 'neutralize any attempts Donald Trump makes to steal Congressional seats.'
The Hill
an hour ago
- The Hill
Churches step up for left-behind students — legislation can help us reach more
Gospel music lifts us. Education should do the same, yet too many children are stuck in school districts that fail to elevate their potential. That's why, as faith leaders and longtime advocates for children, we supported Congress's effort to send the Educational Choice for Children Act to the president as part of the budget bill. It stands to uplift struggling students by offering tax credits for those who donate money for educational scholarships. Families can use these scholarships on things like tuition, books and programming. It will also empower trusted community institutions — like churches — to help kids discover and walk in their purpose. When you grow up in under-resourced communities like ours — Harrisburg, Pa., and Gary, Ind. — you know when the school system doesn't work, the streets step in. And what the street teaches can be deadly. A child who doesn't finish high school is 3.5 times more likely to be arrested and also more likely to die a violent death. We have both been to those funerals. For 35 years, I (James) have also served as a foster parent, offering children a safe, loving home and advocating for my foster kids' unique needs. I have pleaded with their principals for support, only to be met with apologies and excuses from a system that is failing. I have felt trapped by my zip code and frustrated watching my child excluded from alternative learning opportunities. I have also sat in a courtroom, watching my son face a sentence that could take away most of his life. I thought about that little boy who once dreamed of being a fashion designer and remembered all the times I pleaded with his school to see the gifts in him — and how they just didn't have what he needed. If we had educational freedom back then, I believe my son's story could have been different. I grieve for what he has lost and pray that with the Educational Choice for Children Act in place, we can finally break the cycle. We are already doing this in Pennsylvania, where pastors are uniting to make 'Every Church a School.' From Harrisburg to York to Philadelphia, we're opening learning centers in churches that combine online education, mentorship, and wraparound support to help students learn and chase their dreams — right where our kids are, before it's too late. We know this model works. In the Rock City Learning Center in Harrisburg, for example, not a single child is scoring under 71 percent. Students come to us barely reading, with failing grades, and we help them heal. We have seen what is possible when community institutions step in the gap for our children, and we are just getting started. Our vision is to help churches nationwide launch their own private schools, academic learning centers, after-school programs and summer enrichment projects that help kids find their calling and succeed in today's world. Imagine your church offering quality education paired with an after-school music program — one that offers children a creative refuge where they can sing, direct choirs, play instruments and learn the music business. And it wouldn't take a dollar away from children who enjoy traditional public schools. With the Educational Choice for Children Act bill in place, we can turn this dream into a reality. The Educational Choice for Children Act would finally give parents a choice. It would ensure that every child has access to the classroom that truly fits them, and equip church leaders with the resources needed to uplift our communities through education tailored to the needs of our communities. If we build these schools, more professionals will step up to teach and give back. We have the vision — we just need the flexibility and resources. The Educational Choice for Children Act offers both. Earlier this summer, more than 1,000 Philadelphians gathered for a townhall led by Black Pastors United for Education, hosted by Meta Washington, and featuring renowned gospel singers at New Covenant Church in Mount Airy. We learned about this topic, sang and prayed for the Educational Choice for Children Act to become a reality. A similar gathering was held in Arizona in May. We preached and sang at both. Change is coming. It's on us — as trustees of our children's futures — to make sure of it. Rev. Joshua C. Robertson is the Senior Pastor of The Rock Church in Harrisburg, Pa., and CEO and Founder of the Black Pastors United for Education. James Grear is a chart-topping gospel musician and founder of the award-nominated vocal ensemble, James Grear and Company.
