Coach Prime joins the fight for NIL reform, fronting a $6 million campaign to push federal oversight, mandate transparency, and stabilize the future of the college game.
Deion Sanders will take a new position outside of coaching.
The Colorado Buffaloes football coach will appear in the latest ads to save college sports. He'll be lobbying for the "Protect College Sports Act," which has been a topic of conversation for quite some time.
What is the "Protect College Sports Act" and what does it intend to do? For starters, this will turn the clock back with more regulations. NIL transparency is a huge component for this to become law. This would require athletes to report NIL compensation over $600, regulate agent fees at a maximum of 5%, and set up certification standards for third-party deals. While some have argued this is overstepping because the College Sports Commission would be involved as an oversight group, regulation is needed.
The legislation would also permanently set and cap school-to-athlete revenue sharing limits (with annual inflation adjustments) aligned with the House v. NCAA settlement. It also guarantees student-athletes one free transfer without losing athletic eligibility. This is big for the five-for-five ruling.
The commercial featuring Sanders will be released right before lawmakers in Washington are expected to vote on the legislation. Here's the script read by Sanders in a copy of the advertisement reviewed by Roundtable.
“The biggest crowds. The brightest lights. Now it’s Prime Time. And as a coach and father, I am helping the next generation find their spotlight. That’s why I support the Protect College Sports Act. It gives student-athletes a chance to shine on and off the field; strengthens Historically Black Colleges and Universities; and keeps both men's and women’s sports strong. Help student-athletes get their Prime Time moment, baby.”
Sanders will bring attention to the bipartisan legislation currently being held up in Congress. The series of ads has featured prominent figures, including former Alabama coach Nick Saban, who quit before the NIL era took over. But who's funding this effort? The campaign is worth upwards of $6 million in ad buys and is primarily funded by Texas Tech mega booster Cody Campbell, according to Politico. Rivals coming together to try and save college sports is rare these days.
Sanders has also appeared in many commercials throughout his career. He added to the list which includes Depend, KFC, Boost Mobile, Aflac and others. Some of the same sponsors for Colorado football around Folsom Field. After Sanders' bout with bladder cancer, Depend signed on to sponsor his port-a-potty, which is housed on the sideline at Folsom Field. Aflac has been a sponsor of Sanders' weekly coaches show and currently has a logo on the CU coaches headsets.
The U.S. Senate is scheduled to hold a cloture vote on the Protect College Sports Act next week. It remains unclear when or if the House of Representatives will take up the bill.
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