Story perspectives

NAACP Opposes Protect College Sports Act After Senate Passes

By Drooid · Sep 19, 2026, 12:08 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO, opposed the Protect College Sports Act on ESPN’s SportsCenter September 15, 2026.
The Senate passed the bill 74-24, and critics say it limits athletes’ rights.
The NAACP asked ESPN to give Johnson a platform like Senator Ted Cruz’s College GameDay appearance.
The legislation still requires House approval before becoming law.
The Congressional Black Caucus opposes the bill, saying it fails to protect Black athletes.

History

Historical Context

In 2014, the Ninth Circuit Court ruled in O'Bannon v. NCAA that barring athletes’ name, image, and likeness violated antitrust law. The panel awarded former UCLA star Ed O'Bannon $5 million, citing the NCAA’s $3 billion annual revenue each year from televised games. Today's Protect College Sports Act echoes that dispute, as the Senate’s 74-24 vote seeks to limit athletes’ compensation, prompting NAACP President Derrick Johnson’s opposition. The 2014 ruling’s ripple effect pressures lawmakers to balance revenue interests with civil-rights advocacy, shaping future policy debates on athlete equity.

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Story summary

Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO, opposed the Protect College Sports Act on ESPN’s SportsCenter September 15, 2026.
The Senate passed the bill 74-24, and critics say it limits athletes’ rights.
The NAACP asked ESPN to give Johnson a platform like Senator Ted Cruz’s College GameDay appearance.
The legislation still requires House approval before becoming law.
The Congressional Black Caucus opposes the bill, saying it fails to protect Black athletes.

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