When the NCAA changed its rules to allow college athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness, it was met with celebration from college athletes across the country who could now receive compensation from the multi-billion dollar industry that makes money off their labor. But it seems not everyone was happy with that decision.
During a recent hearing on the merger between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky made it clear that he is against college athletes profiting form their name, image, and likness.
“The court ruled unanimously that the NCAA can’t invoke their rules. And so they’ve completely screwed up college athletes. We used to be proud – many of us loved watching amateur athletes who weren’t paid,” Paul lamented. “Now everybody that plays basketball in college is gonna be driving a Bentley or a Rolls. I mean, we’re gonna be seeing rap stars instead of basketball stars. I mean, this is crazy.”
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) complains about how antitrust laws impact college sports at a hearing on the PGA Tour-LIV merger:
“Now everybody that plays basketball in college is gonna be driving a Bentley or a Rolls. I mean, we’re gonna be seeing rap stars instead of basketball stars.” pic.twitter.com/raasfga8XC
— The Recount (@therecount) July 11, 2023
“And you know why it happened?” Paul asked. “Cause Congress sat around and said ‘Oh, well because of antitrust we can’t let the NCAA do it. It went to the court, and the court made the ruling – unfortunately, a unanimous ruling based on the law. So the law’s got to change.”
They were certainly some controversial comments, and they generated plenty of reactions on social media.
“Many of us loved watching college athletes who weren’t paid” is the funniest claim. How weird do you have to be to watch a sporting event and be like “you know what the best part of this is? The lack of compensation” https://t.co/vFW02fIIEB
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) July 11, 2023
Oh no, my beautiful amateur athletes, what if they have money and use that money to make purchases https://t.co/86yAw2Deir
— Jane Coaston 🏔️ (@janecoaston) July 11, 2023
Just a reminder. The GQP thinks it’s fine, to now have young children working in factories, but Rand Paul doesn’t think college athletes should get paid for literally helping to generate billions for colleges & universities. He’s such a tool!! pic.twitter.com/cZLA1KuUYy
— Papi Bébé Le Strange (@Papi_B_Dubs) July 11, 2023
Ah the classic libertarian position that only those we deem morally worthy get to do free markets. https://t.co/5g1Zomlb22
— Mike L. Goodman (@TheM_L_G) July 11, 2023
Holy moly, Rand really just went on and said it out loud.
“We used to love watching players who weren’t paid … and now they’re gonna have nice cars … and be rap stars instead of basketball stars.”
Good gawd. You can’t read that but one way, and it’s gross as hell. https://t.co/cAh35bOJT3
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) July 11, 2023
Oh no! What will we do if talented young people are compensated at their fair market value?? What if they buy a car?!? https://t.co/KfZJBXJVFU
— Michael Mulvihill (@mulvihill79) July 11, 2023
It’s certainly a controversial opinion, and Paul was blasted for it.
