Kaine Statement on Vote Against Advancing College Sports Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) released the following statement after voting against advancing college sports legislation that insufficiently protects student athletes: “This is a bill to tackle a real problem that needs a comprehensive solution. I can see some things in this bill that I like, and I’m impressed that the NCAA and college conferences, including those whose members include Virginia schools, have signaled their support. But this bill won’t be ready for primetime until it strikes the right balance to protect the best interests of student athletes. For example, why does the bill cap compensation for student athletes while allowing those who make massive salaries and profits from their labors—coaches, athletic directors, sports networks, online gambling operations—to rake in obscene amounts of money with no cap? And why must student athletes’ rights to avail themselves of legal remedies under state laws for mistreatment by their institutions be dramatically restricted? We should pass a version of this bill that keeps its many good provisions without unreasonably limiting the young people who create America’s exciting college athletic environment.” ###