Asm. Chris Holden (D–Pasadena) withdrew the proposed bill, the College Athlete Protection Act, from a hearing before the state’s Senate Education Committee in California.
His decision effectively ends its consideration in Sacramento.
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The big picture: The proposal aimed to require California universities earning at least $10 million in athletics media rights revenue each year to pay $25,000 to certain athletes through a “degree completion fund,” with additional funds available only after graduation.
- The bill underwent modification as the revenue-sharing language was removed after the NCAA and the nation’s five biggest conferences announced a $2.8 billion settlement plan to address antitrust claims, allowing schools to make direct payments to their athletes.
- Despite the modification, Holden continued to advocate for other provisions in the bill, emphasizing better health and safety standards for athletes and preventing schools from eliminating sports and cutting scholarships.
- The bill faced a lack of support from the committee chairman, state Sen. Josh Newman, resulting in its withdrawal from consideration.
