Mark Few, head coach of Gonzaga, has recently made headlines by voicing support for the Protect College Sports Act while appearing in formal attire at events including his Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame induction and a press conference on Capitol Hill. On this occasion, Few stood alongside Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), as well as Arkansas head coach John Calipari, to advocate for the bill's passage.
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This newfound advocacy comes after Few previously argued before Cantwell’s committee in 2021 that college athletes should be compensated fairly for their contributions. The Protect College Sports Act, however, would provide the NCAA with antitrust immunity, enabling it to enforce rules that restrict player compensation and movement. Few acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, stating, "We really, really need help, and we need it from Congress. This bill might not be perfect, but it’s far and away the best thing we’ve got out there right now."
Following Few’s lobbying efforts, the Senate voted 74-24 to advance the bill past a filibuster, signaling its probable passage. However, the bill's progress now hinges on the House of Representatives, where lawmakers have limited time before the upcoming midterm elections. While Donald Trump has indicated support for signing the bill, experts believe its implementation may not occur before December or early next year.
If passed, the Protect College Sports Act would significantly alter the landscape for college basketball, including Gonzaga. The act stems from a long legal history regarding antitrust regulations linked to college sports, which were classified as commercial enterprises under a 2021 Supreme Court ruling. The act would provide universities with a statutory framework to manage spending, including the ability to impose caps on NIL deals, while also presenting new opportunities for athletes such as federally protected NIL rights and guaranteed scholarships.
Critics argue that while the bill aims to restore some order to college sports, it may also reinforce existing financial disparities, particularly favoring larger, wealthier programs. The bill proposes changes including a national payroll cap and restrictions around player transfers, which could diminish athletes' mobility rights. For Gonzaga, this legislative framework could serve as a protective measure against financial pressures from larger programs that dominate college football revenue streams, ensuring continued competitiveness within the college basketball landscape.
Few’s support for this bill, while controversial among those who advocate for athlete rights, represents a pragmatic approach to maintaining Gonzaga’s position in an evolving and increasingly financial-driven college sports environment. He emphasizes the need for systemic changes to keep the competitive landscape equitable, understanding that without such measures, smaller programs like Gonzaga risk being marginalized.