On February 7, 2024, National Girls and Women in Sports Day, U.S. Senator Christopher Murphy (CT-D) and U.S. Representative Alma Adams (NC-12-D) introduced the Fair Play for Women Act in the 118th Congress. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Representatives Lori Trahan (D-MS-03) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1) co-sponsored the legislation. Donna A. Lopiano, Ph.D., President of The Drake Group, issued the following statement:
“The Drake Group applauds the Senator Murphy/Representative Adams team for stepping up to the plate to provide better Title IX compliance tools through the Fair Play for Women Act. The legislation closes significant collegiate athletics reporting loopholes and establishes long overdue K-12 reporting and training obligations. As important, the Act provides for a private right of action and civil penalties as well as clearly holding athletics governance associations accountable for discriminatory treatment. This is good, common sense gender equity legislation deserving of widespread non-partisan support.”
Lopiano continued, “The Drake Group appreciates the persistence of so many in Congress who continue to work on better Title IX enforcement. However, it’s still important to remember that we still have work to do. The numbers say it all. The latest college data from TitleIXSchools.com show college women are still being significantly shortchanged.”
Female participation shortfall: 225,568
Female scholarship shortfall: $1,092,028,197
Female recruiting dollars shortfall: $185,731,629
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