Alabama U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville said he expects a college sports commission to recommend some action to President Donald Trump, which he could then implement through an executive action.
This would cut through the confusing patchwork on regulations and state laws that currently govern the sport, he said as well as settle some longstanding issues such as collective bargaining with athletes and conference realignment.
In an interview with CBS Sports, Tuberville said the group, which may include former Alabama coach Nick Saban, probably wouldn’t bring anything to the president until it had an actionable plan.
“There’s a huge range of problems that we got here that that run off in different directions,” Tuberville said.
And, Tuberville says it’s important that Trump listens to what they have to say.
“I told him, ‘Mr. President, you understand just enough to get us all in trouble.’ Let’s do something and present it and try to explain it just like anything else when it comes to a tax bill or something to do with education or something to do with foreign relations. He’s got to have people around him saying we think this is the best thing, and then he’ll evaluate it and go with it or not go with it.”
Saban and billionaire Texas Tech Chairman Cody Campbell are expected to co-lead a presidential commission on college athletics. Tuberville said his phone is constantly ringing with people interested in being on the committee, but he said he believes it shouldn’t be overstuffed with too many names.
“I think you get people involved who are looking at it every day,” Tuberville said. “Not just some weekend person. We’re going to need player involvement, men and women. One thing that President Trump says on my watch is: ‘We’re not losing women’s sports, we’re not losing Title IX.’”
Tuberville said action out of the president may be easier than steering a solution through Congress.
“I think Nick and Cody can get something done along with President Trump’s power,” Tuberville said. “You’re not going to get six votes in the Senate so (Trump is) going to have to say, ‘Look this is what we’re going to do.’”
