Discussion · Senate
Rand Paul Republican
“Congress should not be running college sports. Bad monopoly laws caused this mess, and this bill makes it illegal for college athletes to stay unpaid amateurs. Vote yes on my amendment to exempt college sports from these laws and let schools and players make their own rules. I want a recorded vote.”
“College sports is a mess--that much we can agree on--but I doubt the Congress that oversees the post office is the right body to oversee college sports. It should surprise no one that Congress created this problem when they created the nonsensical antitrust laws--antitrust laws that the government argues create monopolies when prices are too low, when competition is too intense, and when innovation is too prevalent. Nonsensical. No one knows whether this bill is Congress’ first foray into college sports or its last. What is clear, though, is that the bill before us forbids the NCAA from ever returning to a traditional understanding of amateur athletics. This bill makes it illegal to not pay--not pay--players, so those that are nostalgic for an era when our unpaid amateur hockey team beat the Russians will forever be disappointed. My amendment would exempt the NCAA from antitrust laws and return college sports to the voluntary interactions between the athletes and the association. I recommend a ``yes’’ vote and ask for the yeas and nays.”
College sports is a mess--that much we can agree on--but I doubt the Congress that oversees the post office is the right body to oversee college sports. It should surprise no one that Congress created this problem when they created the nonsensical antitrust laws--antitrust laws that the government argues create monopolies when prices are too low, when competition is too intense, and when innovation is too prevalent. Nonsensical. No one knows whether this bill is Congress’ first foray into college sports or its last. What is clear, though, is that the bill before us forbids the NCAA from ever returning to a traditional understanding of amateur athletics. This bill makes it illegal to not pay--not pay--players, so those that are nostalgic for an era when our unpaid amateur hockey team beat the Russians will forever be disappointed. My amendment would exempt the NCAA from antitrust laws and return college sports to the voluntary interactions between the athletes and the association. I recommend a ``yes’’ vote and ask for the yeas and nays.