Disney and Paramount Back Protect College Sports Act Amid Criticism

A proposed bill to protect college sports has sparked controversy in the US Congress. The Protect College Sports Act (PCSA) aims to shield colleges and universities from lawsuits related to athlete compensation, but critics argue it would disproportionately harm black athletes.

Several major broadcasting and cable companies have lobbied for the legislation, including Disney, Paramount, Skydance, Amazon, and the National Association of Broadcasters. These companies have listed the PCSA among dozens of bills they worked on between April 1 and June 30.

The group Saving College Sports, a nonprofit founded by Texas Tech billionaire booster Cody Campbell, has been leading the financial charge on lobbying for the PCSA. However, its donors remain unknown due to its 501(c)(4) status.

Critics of the bill include Michele Roberts and DeMaurice Smith, former heads of the NBA and NFL players' unions, as well as the AFL-CIO, NAACP, and Congressional Black Caucus. They argue that the PCSA would grant sweeping legal protections to powerful institutions while failing to protect athletes.