In a letter released Monday, the four commissioners of the NCAA-based HBCU athletic conferences have contacted the Congressional Black Caucus for assistance with new federal NIL and student-athlete laws.
The letter, penned and signed by SWAC commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland, SIAC commissioner Anthony Holloman, CIAA commissioner, and MEAC commissioner Sonja Stills, called for laws that do not define student-athletes as employees, a move that would risk the very health and well-being of HBCUs, HBCU Gameday first reported.
“Like the majority of our mid-major and Division II peers, most HBCUs do not generate significant revenue and rely heavily on school-appropriated funds and donations,” the letter states. “Classifying student-athletes as employees would have a devastating impact on our athletic programs and schools, and in some cases lead to the elimination of intercollegiate athletics.”
The NCAA recently settled the House vs. NCAA lawsuit, which finally allows college athletes to be compensated for their athletic talents and draw income from Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals.
“While we are working tirelessly to advocate for and protect all that we have accomplished with our HBCU
campuses, we need your support and understanding in the value of affirming that student-athletes are not employees of their universities and in pre-empting state law and providing limited safe harbor protections to create clear and fair playing fields for HBCU student-athletes,” the letter concludes.
