MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WDNews) — Two of the Southeastern Conference’s biggest rivals are standing on the same side of a major issue facing college athletics.
The University of Alabama and Auburn University have issued a rare joint statement opposing the proposed Protect College Sports Act, urging the U.S. Senate not to advance the legislation in its current form.
The Protect College Sports Act is a federal bill that would establish nationwide rules for college athletics, including Name, Image and Likeness (NIL), athlete transfers and enforcement standards. Supporters say the measure would create a more consistent national framework for college sports, while Alabama and Auburn argue the current version would have the opposite effect.
The joint statement was signed by University of Alabama President Dr. Peter Mohler, Auburn University President Dr. Christopher B. Roberts, University of Alabama System Board of Trustees President Pro Tempore Scott Phelps and Auburn University Board of Trustees President Pro Tempore James H. Sanford.
In the statement, the universities said the bill is presented as a way to “stabilize” college athletics but would instead “perpetuate the very instability it claims to cure.”
University leaders said the legislation would undermine implementation and enforcement of rules established under the recent House settlement by limiting the tools needed to hold athletic programs to consistent standards. They also argued it could invite additional litigation, expand federal involvement in roster decisions, game scheduling and internal governance, and create incentives for the redistribution of media rights revenue in ways they believe would punish successful athletic programs.
The universities said they share Congress’ goal of protecting student-athletes, sustaining women’s and Olympic sports, and promoting fair competition through a single national set of rules. However, they contend the current version of the Protect College Sports Act “does not meet that standard,” leaving key issues unresolved while shifting major decisions to the courts.
The statement concludes by saying Alabama and Auburn are prepared to work with Alabama’s congressional delegation and members of both political parties on legislation that protects student-athletes while preserving universities’ ability to compete and operate responsibly.
