WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, on Wednesday released the following statement after the Supreme Court heard arguments in NCAA v Alston, which is centered on the legality of the NCAA's long-standing rules that cap compensation for athletes to scholarships and stipends.

“Today, the Supreme Court heard arguments in a case to challenge the antiquated and exploitative caps on athlete compensation. It makes zero sense that the NCAA has this kind of absolute control over the livelihood of college athletes, which flies in the face of federal antitrust laws. But the status quo won’t budge in withholding a fair share from the athletes whose labor and sacrifice make it all possible. Thankfully, the tide is turning. College sports fans, elected officials and our courts are waking up to the injustices that college athletes face—as they watch majority white executives exploit the labor of majority Black athletes in the name of ‘amateurism.’ My hope is that, between congressional action and the courts, college athletes will finally see justice and the industry will be better for everyone once the basic rights of athletes are recognized and the athletes’ well-being comes first,” said Murphy.

Murphy has been an outspoken advocate on the issue of reforming college sports. Last month, Senator Murphy introduced the College Athlete Economic Freedom Act with Rep. Lori Trahan, which grants unrestricted rights to college athletes over the use of their name, image, and likeness (NIL).

Earlier this year, Murphy published an op-ed in Yahoo Sports on the ways in which COVID-19 have exposed the inherent inequities in college sports and lays out the legislative ideas to allow for college athletes to make money off their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), as well as provide collective bargaining rights for college athletes so they can negotiate for fair compensation and better conditions.

In June of last year, Murphy and Golden State Warriors player Draymond Green co-authored an op-ed for ESPN on how college sports must change following the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide protests for racial justice. Murphy is also part of the College Athlete Bill of Rights framework, a landmark proposal that would guarantee fair and equitable compensation, enforceable safety standards, and improved education outcomes for all college athletes.

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