A group of representatives from Auburn University visited Washington, D.C. on Wednesday to lobby lawmakers to pass legislation to create name, image and likeness (NIL) uniformity in college sports.
Football coach Hugh Freeze, men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl, women's basketball coach Johnnie Harris, AD John Cohen and Auburn president Chris Roberts all met with members of Alabama's congressional delegation to discuss what U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) said in his weekly press call was "the disastrous new NIL rules." The former Auburn football coach has been working with U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) to craft legislation making NIL a more fair system.
Currently, NIL and collectives vary from state to state.
“Today, we are meeting with coaches, athletic directors and administrators from several different conferences here in Washington, D.C. talking about the disastrous new NIL rules. And they are a disaster,” Tuberville said during his call.
"Now, I'll tell you this: I’m for players being able to be compensated for their hard work in athletics, as well as academics," he continued. "We have to come to some kind of agreement where we can help the NCAA make improvements to this runaway NIL situation that we’re in as we speak."
Tuberville, U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) and U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) all highlighted their visits with the Auburn representatives on their Twitter accounts.
Auburn's Freeze and Pearl thanked the legislators and commended them for listening to their concerns.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email trent.baker@1819news.com.
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