The sports betting status quo prevails

It’s the weekend!

Before the games kick off, we have updates on sports betting, CSC enforcement and the SCORE Act. Next week, I’ll have a piece on the growth and decline of a couple of women’s sports. Please subscribe so you don’t miss out! Now, go watch some football.

— Kyle

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THE BIG 3

Division I schools vote to rescind pro sports betting rule

In October, the NCAA Division I Cabinet voted to allow college athletes and athletic department employees to bet on professional sports. 

Even before the vote, the impending decision was controversial. Few who spoke publicly supported the proposal. So it was surprising when it passed. 

The SEC sent a letter in late October requesting that the NCAA rescind the decision. 

“On behalf of our universities, I write to urge action by the NCAA Division I Board of Directors to rescind this change and reaffirm the Association’s commitment to maintaining strong standards that keep college participants separated from sports wagering at every level,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey wrote to NCAA president Charlie Baker. 

The rule change was initially expected to take effect on Nov. 1, but in late October, the NCAA set a 30-day window for schools to vote to rescind the proposal. The deadline was Friday, and the required two-thirds of Division I member schools needed to rescind the rule change have spoken: Division I athletes and athletic department staff will not be able to bet on pro sports.  

It’s a common-sense outcome and a flexing of muscles for power conferences, especially Sankey and the SEC.

The CSC’s power grab

The College Sports Commission presented a 10-page “University Participant Agreement” outlining membership rules for power conference schools and others that sign up to participate in revenue sharing. 

The most striking policy would prohibit schools that sign the agreement from filing legal challenges against the CSC over enforcement decisions, handing the CSC significant power over investigations — more than the NCAA’s enforcement office ever held. 

Any school that encourages or assists outside parties to file lawsuits against the CSC would lose at least one year of revenue from its conference and miss at least one year of postseason play in the involved sport(s). A reduction in transfers and roster spots — a throwback to scholarship punishments — and financial fines for coaches and administrators are possible penalties. 

The power conferences would fall under the CSC’s purview. All 68 schools must sign the document for it to become valid, and there is a two-week deadline to sign. 

The CSC’s chief objective is to police payments to college athletes and prevent third-party compensation that circumvents the cap, enforcing rules established by the House settlement. Loopholes have hampered the NCAA and CSC in enforcing the rules and imposing penalties on schools that break them. This agreement changes that, providing the CSC with the necessary legal protection to levy severe sanctions. Appeals would go through arbitration. 

The House settlement allows schools to spend up to $20.5 million in 2025-26 in direct payments to athletes. NIL deals through third parties must have valid business purposes and not be recruiting incentives or pay-for-play.

The SCORE Act could clear a major hurdle

Earlier this week, Yahoo’s Ross Dellenger reported that the SCORE Act is on track to reach the House of Representatives floor for a potential vote in December. Dellenger added that the bill is now expected to have the support it needs to pass the House.

The SCORE Act would provide a national standard for NIL laws, prohibit athletes from being employees and allow a limited antitrust exemption. It’s favored by Republicans, the NCAA and power conferences. 

The SAFE Act, a competing bill introduced by three Democratic senators in September, would codify the House settlement, allow conference media rights to be pooled, establish national NIL standards, limit penalty-free transfers to two per athlete, create an agent registry, guarantee scholarships for 10 years after an athlete's eligibility expires and provide health care for five years post-eligibility. 

Texas Tech billionaire booster Cody Campbell, who sits on President Donald Trump’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, initially opposed the SCORE Act and ran a series of commercials about the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, a critical piece of the SAFE Act. He has since come out in favor of SCORE, though he wants the Senate to make modifications. 

The SCORE Act would need 60 votes to pass the Senate, requiring seven Democrats.

NIL BLITZ

♦️ Puck’s John Ourand reported that NBC is shopping the 2026 Big Ten championship game telecast to Amazon and Netflix.

♦️ Did UCLA use a friendly charity to get tax-free NIL money? That’s what a report from FOIA Ball alleges.

♦️ Ohio State coach Ryan Day commented on NIL coming to Ohio high school football.

♦️ Tulane sports law director Gabe Feldman talked with Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), who argued that the SAFE Act, not the SCORE Act, is the correct path for college sports reform. 

♦️ According to Ben Portnoy of Sports Business Journal, Learfield is engaged in high-level talks regarding a potential sale.

♦️ Front Office Sports has an interesting story on the differing viewpoints NBA players have on donating to their alma mater.

♦️ San Diego State proposed a 45 percent increase to the mandatory Instructionally Related Activities fee, from $580 to $840 per year. A majority of the fee would go to the athletic department. 

♦️ LSU announced Death Valley Live, an initiative to bring live events to Tiger Stadium.

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BATTER UP

Today’s Poll Question:

Last Edition’s Poll Results:

Should the government get involved in NIL reform?

• Yes - 47%

• No - 53%