Congressional Black Caucus Holding NIL Reform Hostage

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) is threatening name, image, or likeness (NIL) reform, using it as a significant tool in their battle against congressional redistricting in Republican controlled states. They are demanding that the NCAA, the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) get involved with attacking redistricting efforts.

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"The Congressional Black Caucus believes institutions that profit from Black talent and Black communities have a responsibility to stand with those communities when their fundamental rights are under attack. Silence in the face of injustice is not neutrality — it is complicity," caucus members, including West Alabama Democrat Congresswoman Terri Sewell, said in a statement posted to their website and on social media.

The Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements Act (SCORE Act), co-sponsored by Alabama U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures (D-2nd District), was set to be voted on this week but has reportedly been pulled from the calendar, in part, due to opposition from the CBC.

The CBC has sent letters to SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, ACC Commissioner James J. Phillips, Ph.D., and NCAA President Charlie Baker, "... demanding immediate engagement and a public response regarding the ongoing assault on Black political representation throughout the South and across the nation."

The CBC press release states the group is, "...actively evaluating additional steps and will continue using every legislative, political, and public platform available to defend Black voting rights, fair representation, and the integrity of American democracy.”

Sewell, on her X (formerly twitter) social media page says black athletes have helped build college athletics into one of the most powerful and profitable industries in American life.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has scheduled a news conference this afternoon with NAACP President Derrick Johnson.

Republicans counter that their rush to redistrict is not racial but is political, in attempt to help the GOP retain control of congress.