Cassidy Calls for Congress to Act on College Sports Reform

Senator hosts roundtable to discuss revenue sharing, collective bargaining, and classifying student-athletes as employees

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy hosted a roundtable discussion on college sports reform, where political leaders and panelists explored how Congress could address issues related to revenue sharing, collective bargaining, and the classification of student-athletes as employees. Cassidy, who chairs the Senate HELP Committee, said the current environment leaves student-athletes vulnerable to exploitation and threatens the survival of institutions that depend on athletics.

Why it matters

College sports have become a major industry, generating significant revenue for universities, but the system has also been criticized for exploiting student-athletes. This roundtable discussion reflects growing calls for Congress to intervene and provide oversight, with the goal of empowering student-athletes and ensuring the long-term viability of college athletic programs.

The details

The roundtable discussion was hosted by Senator Bill Cassidy, who chairs the Senate HELP Committee. Panelists included Julie Cromer, the executive deputy athletic director/chief operating officer at LSU, and Collis Temple, an LSU Athletics Hall of Famer. The discussion focused on how revenue sharing, collective bargaining, and the classification of student-athletes as employees impact student-athletes and schools.

  • The roundtable discussion was held on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

The players

Bill Cassidy

U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate HELP Committee.

Jeff Landry

Governor of Louisiana, who has called for centralized governance to provide oversight for college sports.

Julie Cromer

Executive deputy athletic director/chief operating officer at LSU.

Collis Temple

LSU Athletics Hall of Famer and panelist at the roundtable discussion.

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What they’re saying

“Instead of empowering student athletes, the current environment leaves them vulnerable to exploitation while threatening institutions that depend on athletics for survival. The future of college sports is at risk. Congress can no longer sit on the sidelines. We must act to restore common sense and certainty to the college athletic landscape.”

— Bill Cassidy, U.S. Senator (cenlanow.com)

What’s next

Cassidy plans to hold a committee hearing to further discuss college sports reform.

The takeaway

This roundtable discussion highlights the growing calls for Congress to intervene in the college sports industry, with the goal of protecting student-athletes and ensuring the long-term viability of college athletic programs. The discussion reflects the complex issues surrounding revenue sharing, collective bargaining, and the classification of student-athletes, and the need for a comprehensive approach to reform.