College Sports at a Crossroads Senator Tommy Tuberville's Call for NIL Sanity

The recent situation at the University of Tennessee, where the head coach dismissed a highly-touted quarterback after he reportedly demanded more NIL money, has brought the urgent need for reform into sharp focus. Stories like this show just how far we’ve drifted from the values that once defined college athletics.

Stories like this show just how far we’ve drifted from the values that once defined college athletics. As a lifelong fan of college sports and a season ticket holder whose three sons all played Division I football, I’ve watched the landscape of our beloved games shift dramatically with the introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. While the concept of athletes profiting from their personal brands sounded promising, the reality has been chaotic, unfair, and corrosive to the spirit of amateur athletics. If the NCAA cannot bring structure and accountability to this system, then federal legislation is not just appropriate—it’s necessary. That’s why I stand firmly with Senator Tommy Tuberville, a former coach who knows the game inside and out, in his push for federal NIL legislation to restore order and integrity to college sports.

Senator Tuberville has rightly called the current NIL environment the “Wild West,” and any fan who’s followed recent recruiting cycles knows he’s spot-on. What used to be about building team chemistry and developing young talent has morphed into a pay-to-play marketplace. Tuberville’s observation that “there’s really no recruiting now—it’s buying” hits home when you see top prospects swayed not by a school’s tradition or coaching but by the deepest pockets. This isn’t what college sports should be about. Recruitment, as he argues, should hinge on the appeal of a university’s values and vision, not a bidding war.

I also agree with Tuberville’s call for national standards through legislation like the PASS Act, which he co-sponsored with former Senator Joe Manchin. A uniform set of rules would level the playing field, ensuring that schools in less affluent regions aren’t priced out by powerhouse programs. It’s disheartening to think that without reform, we’re headed toward a future where, as Tuberville warns, “you’re going to have the same rich teams every year.” That’s not competition—it’s a monopoly, and it robs fans of the unpredictability that makes college sports thrilling.

Importantly, while NIL was intended to empower student-athletes, we must now acknowledge the unintended consequences. The original idea was to allow athletes to earn a fair return on their hard work and popularity. But what we’ve ended up with is a system that often undermines team stability, blurs lines between amateurism and professionalism, and creates incentives based more on financial opportunity than commitment to school or team. This editorial is not against fairness for athletes—it is about preserving the spirit of the game while still offering equitable opportunities.

Tuberville’s push for accountability in NIL contracts also resonates. If a player signs a deal, they should honor it, just as coaches and schools are expected to uphold their commitments. His point that “there should be repercussions for breaking” these agreements is common sense. Without enforceable standards, the system incentivizes instability, with athletes jumping ship at the first better offer. That’s no way to build a team or a program, and it’s certainly not fair to fans who invest their hearts in these squads.

Finally, I share Tuberville’s concern that college sports are starting to resemble “minor league sports” with all the money flooding in. The beauty of college athletics has always been its raw passion—kids playing for pride, not paychecks. NIL, left unchecked, risks turning our stadiums into soulless marketplaces. Tuberville’s experience as a coach gives him unique insight into how these changes affect athletes and programs, and his warnings deserve our attention.

As a fan, I want to see college sports thrive, not spiral into chaos. Senator Tuberville’s fight for fair, consistent NIL rules is a fight for the soul of the game we love. It’s time for Congress to act and bring back the balance that’s been lost. Tell your representatives this matters. Let’s support Tuberville in protecting our student-athletes and preserving the traditions that make college sports special.

Perry Hooper is a passionate college sports enthusiast and longtime season ticket holder whose three sons all played Division I football.