Congressional hearing on NIL devolves into pep rally that ‘goes off the rails’

Congress held a hearing on Wednesday about name, image and likeness issues in college sports. But there appeared to be little progress made, and more of a pep rally atmosphere as members took shots at various rivals.

There were several SEC references, including from former Florida player Trey Burton, who shared that, “The good from NIL has heavily outweighed the bad.”

Several people spoke to members of Congress during the hearing, including Jason Stahl, the College Football Players Association executive director: “The federal government should stay out of the NIL free market.” He suggested that there will be plenty of money to share with athletes when the Playoff expands to 12 teams.

NCAA statement in response to today’s Congressional NIL hearing: pic.twitter.com/FOBoAPM4y5

— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) March 29, 2023

90 minutes in on Congress #NIL hearing:

1. This isn’t about protecting NIL rights.
2. This is about refusing employee status, begging for access to confidential contract clauses, health/safety issues, conclusory allegations about differing state laws, and adding guardrails.

— Darren Heitner (@DarrenHeitner) March 29, 2023

And while the hearing at times included constructive dialogue, there was no shortage of members of Congress sharing their favorite team, or state allegiances. For example, a representative from Illinois celebrated that both Northwestern and Illinois made the NCAA Tournament.

Then Georgia representative Buddy Carter reminded a Florida colleague that the Bulldogs have won 2 straight national championship, and added a “Go Dawgs!”

Here’s a sample of the reaction:

I look forward to working with all members of Congress, student-athletes and college leaders to create fair, equitable and sustainable NIL guidelines that protect and benefit young people nationwide.

— Charlie Baker (@CharlieBakerMA) March 29, 2023

This congressional hearing is painful. If you want to “fix” #NIL, keep Congress out of it and let the people who work within the NIL ecosystem every day fix it.

— Russell White (@Russell_White) March 29, 2023

This #NIL hearing was clearly an opportunity for congress to try to be the cool kids https://t.co/UwAZcrPhI8 pic.twitter.com/z2SeMZ7JDv

— Corey -C- Staniscia (@SportsLobbyist) March 29, 2023

Georgia rep puts on a red coat with UGA gear and sits next to a Florida rep with a Gators helmet. Mentions UGA has won the last two national titles. Yeah this hearing is off the rails. pic.twitter.com/N5mwFMK0Ic

— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) March 29, 2023

So the hearing is over… what have we learned?

Don’t let Congress figure out NIL.

— Connor Volpe (@ConnorVolpe) March 29, 2023

Oh, this is good.

The NCAA – one of the few establishments more inept than Congress is putting the onus of regulating NCAA’s NIL into the hands of Congress. Good luck with that! https://t.co/REmNNRJozc

— SOrangeJuice (@SOrangeJuice) March 29, 2023

This congressional hearing is painful. If you want to “fix” #NIL, keep Congress out of it and let the people who work within the NIL ecosystem every day fix it.

— Russell White (@Russell_White) March 29, 2023

The NIL hearing is over.

Here are my takeaways: pic.twitter.com/N56fsY1mgZ

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) March 29, 2023

Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Fla,) has a Gators helmet resting on her desk and begins with “it’s great to be a Florida Gator!” pic.twitter.com/hlyPB2BxJV

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) March 29, 2023

Upon his introduction, Rep. Buddy Carter has an aide walk into the room and stand behind him holding a massive cardboard sign of the Georgia ‘G.’

Off. The. Rails. https://t.co/d3bt7nijm9

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) March 29, 2023

Rep. @LoriTrahanMA says emergence of #NIL collectives raises questions about whether there are conversations about specific athletes in tandem with universities.

She’s easily the most educated representative at this hearing. If only an agent/collective rep was here to answer..

— Darren Heitner (@DarrenHeitner) March 29, 2023

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.