College Sports Seek Antitrust Relief Tied to Olympic Funding

College sports leaders are actively negotiating with U.S. lawmakers to secure antitrust protections in exchange for commitments to fund Olympic sports programs, which face financial instability following a $2.8 billion settlement in the House vs. NCAA case. These Olympic sports, such as wrestling, swimming, and gymnastics, are critical pipelines for approximately 75% of U.S. Summer Olympians but operate on limited budgets and have suffered recent cuts. While direct federal funding of Olympic teams is legally prohibited, the government can provide financial assistance to universities and their sports programs, presenting a potential legislative pathway for support. The NCAA is lobbying for legislation to override varying state NIL laws, protect against employment status for athletes, and offer limited antitrust protections, though some lawmakers remain hesitant. College sports experts emphasize the urgent need for congressional intervention to protect non-revenue Olympic sports amid new rules allowing revenue sharing with athletes, predominantly benefiting football and basketball. The evolving talks highlight a rare bipartisan opportunity to support collegiate Olympic sports while addressing broader concerns about the future viability of college athletics post-settlement.