Is Congress About to Lock In the NCAA’s Power?

In this episode of Sports Solidarity, host Harry Marino is joined by Brandon Copeland, co-founder and CEO of Athletes.org and former NFL linebacker, and Casey Floyd, co-founder of DYK Media, for a timely conversation on Washington’s continued push to reshape college athletics.The NCAA-backed SCORE Act was pulled from this week’s House agenda, but the broader effort toward federal intervention in college sports remains active. Casey and Brandon break down what’s still in motion in Congress and what it could mean for athlete rights, compensation, and the ability to organize and challenge NCAA rules.The discussion focuses on how proposed federal frameworks could shift power further toward institutions while limiting athlete leverage, legal recourse, and representation in policymaking. They also dig into ongoing debates around antitrust protections, transfer restrictions, health and safety, and labor rights.Casey and Brandon highlight the continued absence of athlete voices in key policy conversations and warn that the possibility of federal involvement raises major questions about the future structure of college sports.Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction01:29 – Big 12 commissioner’s position on SCORE Act04:02 – Guest introductions04:35 – SCORE Act deep dive with Casey Floyd08:38 – How likely is the SCORE Act to pass?13:18 – Health and safety concerns16:54 – NFL vs. NCAA safety protocols18:03 – Professional sports comparison20:09 – NCAA’s strategic approach23:56 – House settlement29:22 – Collective bargaining benefits30:39 – Athletes.org36:44 – Historical context and current reality39:42 – ConclusionResources mentioned in this episode: Athletes.org Read AO's SCORE Act Open LetterDYK Media Fort Lewis’ first student-athlete, Ray Dennison, killed playing football, echoes through NCAA history