USOPC asks for tweak of college sports bill to set minimum spending limits for Olympic programs

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee is advocating for changes to legislation that would regulate college sports to guarantee that schools will continue to allocate the same percentage of funding to Olympic programs in the future as they do currently. This push comes in response to concerns that the proposed legislation, known as the SCORE Act, may not provide enough protection for non-revenue sports that are essential to the Olympic pipeline.

USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland and chair Gene Sykes recently sent a letter to members of Congress urging for amendments to the SCORE Act. The current version of the bill requires schools to sponsor a minimum of 16 sports teams, a number that aligns with NCAA rules for Power Four schools. However, Hirshland is worried that this requirement could lead schools to neglect non-revenue sports in favor of focusing on more profitable programs like football.

According to USOPC data, the majority of Power Four schools already sponsor more than 16 sports, with the average school in this group sponsoring over 21 teams. At the last Olympics in Paris, a significant percentage of U.S. Olympians and Paralympians had ties to college sports.

The SCORE Act has passed a House subcommittee and is currently undergoing markup. USOPC leaders are advocating for provisions that would ensure schools maintain their current level of investment in Olympic sports. Hirshland emphasized the importance of creating a balanced environment that encourages schools to support a variety of sports, rather than prioritizing one or two high-profile programs.

In addition to addressing Olympic funding, the SCORE Act aims to provide antitrust protection for the NCAA and streamline regulations around name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation for college athletes. The recent changes allowing athletes to earn money through NIL deals have raised concerns about the future of Olympic programs, as the majority of NIL earnings are expected to go to football and basketball players.

While the bill includes a provision for protecting Olympic sports with the 16-team minimum, USOPC leaders are skeptical about its effectiveness. They are committed to working with lawmakers to ensure that legislation provides strong safeguards for Olympic programs.

Overall, the USOPC is focused on preserving and promoting investment in Olympic sports to ensure their continued growth and success. While the issue of college sports regulation is complex, maintaining current levels of funding for Olympic programs is seen as a crucial step in supporting the development of athletes across a variety of sports.