Media Contact: media@colorofchange.org
For Immediate Release: December 17, 2020
Color Of Change Urges U.S. Senate to Advance Booker’s College Athletes Bill of Rights
Landmark proposal previously endorsed by Color Of Change introduced to U.S. Senate, marking significant milestone in effort to end exploitation of Black college athletes
NATIONWIDE — In response to U.S. Senator Cory Booker’s (D-NJ) introduction of a new federal college athletes bill of rights to the Senate, Color Of Change, the nation’s largest online racial justice organization, released the following statement from Vice President and Chief of Campaigns Arisha Hatch:
“We applaud Senator Booker for introducing this landmark bill, which marks a critical step forward in the fight to achieve justice for Black college athletes nationwide who have been exploited by the collegiate sport industrial complex for decades.
Passing this legislation will help move the needle in the effort to address structural racism in collegiate sports, as Black student-athletes make up the vast majority of players in the highest-revenue sports of football and basketball. For years, these athletes have been barred from obtaining what they are owed and from securing their livelihoods, instead to be dealt career-threatening penalties when caught in the NCAA’s web of arbitrary rules.
Black college athletes deserve their fair share of the rewards and profits brought in on the backs of their talent and work. Following years of advocacy, Color Of Change urges senators to advance the College Athletes Bill of Rights. We will continue to stand in solidarity with student-athletes who are entitled to their earned wages.”
By guaranteeing student-athletes’ right to market their own name, image, and likeness, as well as allowing athletes to accept financial gifts, establishing a revenue sharing model overseen by a new commission, and requiring colleges and universities to provide medical and scholarship guarantees, the legislation will protect vulnerable student athletes as they advance their young careers.
In 2019, Color Of Change conducted a nationwide survey that revealed 74% of participants believed allowing players to earn money from their name or image would specifically turn the tide for Black student-athletes, who make up the vast majority of the highest-revenue sports of football and basketball. The polling also found that two-thirds of all participants found it unfair that the NCAA and universities could earn money off of player’s likeness while student-athletes were prohibited.
Color Of Change successfully worked in partnership with California State Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) and State Senator Steven Bradford (D-Los Angeles) to advocate on behalf of the California Fair Pay to Play Act, signed into law in September 2019.
In August 2020, Color Of Change officially endorsed the College Athletes Bill of Rights and launched a member petition demanding the NCAA and athletic conference guarantee scholarships, health care, and fair play for players.
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About Color Of Change:
Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. We help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by over 7 million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America. Visit www.colorofchange.org.