Eyes of Texas is a “Yes, Coach” Moment
The Drake Group urges reflection on the example of The University of Texas refusing the request of Black football players not to play “The Eyes of Texas” at the end of each football game, because of its offensive and degrading history and impact on these and other students. READ FULL PRESS RELEASE
Moran Legislation is Another NCAA Reform Proposal that Deserves a Closer Look
The Moran Bill permits intercollegiate athletes to monetize their names, images, and likenesses (NILs), and at its core is similar to recent proposals put forth by Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CN). The bill also mirrors many of The Drake Group’s proposals, including broad NIL rights for college athletes […]
Failure to Act in the Interest of Athletes—The Drake Group Comments on the NCAA’s Decision to Delay Transfer and Name, Image, and Likeness Policy Updates
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – On January 8, 2021, the NCAA was scheduled to vote on two important and long-overdue policy amendments: loosening of NIL restrictions and transfer policies that require certain athletes to sit out a season after transferring schools. However, instead of voting on these proposals, the NCAA delayed amending them, citing a letter […]
The “College Athlete Freedom Act” is a Step Forward
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Drake Group shares observations on the “College Athlete Economic Freedom Act” proposed by Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) on February 5, 2021. This bill was also introduced by Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA) in the House. The “College Athlete Economic Freedom Act” pertains directly to NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) rights for […]
Drake Calls on the NCAA to Clean Up Its Bullying Trash
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Drake Group, a national organization of college faculty and others, whose mission is to defend educational integrity in college sports, warns that unless immediate action is taken, the continued abuse of athletes will stain the college sports industry, bring endless legal action, and most importantly, damage the future well-being of […]
The Drake Group Applauds “Intentional Discrimination” Lawsuit Alleging NCAA Discriminates Against HBCUs
The Drake Group, a national organization of college faculty and others whose mission is to defend educational integrity in higher education from the corrosive aspects of commercialized college sports, applauds the ‘Intentional Discrimination’ class action lawsuit (“Manassa vs the NCAA”) recently filed in the Southern District of Indiana. This lawsuit alleges that the NCAA’s academic […]
Drake Group Decries NCAA Infractions Decision concerning UMass Women’s Tennis and Former Athlete, Brittany Collens
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Drake Group decries an October 16, 2020, NCAA Committee on Infractions decision penalizing college athletes rather than the athletic program administrators who botched the computation of their scholarship checks. Over a three-year period, UMass athletic department administrators failed to properly compute payments when 12 athletes moved off-campus. Eight athletes continued […]
Drake Applauds U.S. Senate “Athletes’ Bill of Rights,” Proposes Congressional Legislation
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — On August 3, 2020, U.S. Senators Cory Booker, Richard Blumenthal, Christopher Murphy, Kirsten Gillibrand, Ron Wyden, Mazie Hirono, and Kamala Harris issued a “College Athletes Bill of Rights” statement that sought to advance justice and opportunity for college athletes and promised future legislation to realize their position. On August 13, they […]
The Drake Group Raises Concerns Regarding July 22 U.S. Senate Judiciary Hearing Testimony on College Athlete NILs/Compensation
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Drake Group is encouraged that the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary reviewed issues related to integrity in intercollegiate athletics on July 22, 2020. While the hearing mostly focused on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights along with various state and federal NIL proposals, there were also important exchanges on […]