HBCU Commissioners Sound Alarm: College Sports at Risk as Congress Pushes Dangerous Policy

HBCU Athletics Under Attack? Leaders Warn Congress of Devastating Consequences

HBCU sports are at a breaking point—and Washington might be to blame. Just a few years after experiencing a resurgence, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are now facing policies that could cripple their athletic programs.

The commissioners of the four major HBCU conferences—MEAC, SWAC, SIAC, and CIAA—are calling on the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) to intervene before it’s too late. Their warning? The growing movement to classify college athletes as employees could financially devastate HBCUs, forcing massive cuts to scholarships and programs.

A Direct Threat to HBCU Sports

If athletes become paid employees, schools will be forced to add them to payrolls—making them and the institutions subject to heavy taxation. Unlike powerhouse programs in the Power 4, most HBCUs don’t generate millions from media deals. Instead, they rely on school funds and donors—many of whom are already pulling back due to corporations slashing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

“We’re watching the dismantling of HBCU athletics in real-time,” said Anthony Holloman, SIAC commissioner. “These schools won’t be able to keep up.”

Even with recent partnerships, like the SIAC, CIAA, and SWAC streaming deals with Allen Media Group’s HBCU Go, HBCUs are still financially outmatched. Power 4 programs rake in billions from broadcasting rights, while HBCUs struggle to secure similar opportunities.

NIL and the Transfer Portal: Widening the Gap

HBCUs are also being left behind in the new era of name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. While Power 4 athletes sign multimillion-dollar contracts, HBCU athletes are overlooked, making recruitment and retention even harder.

The extended NCAA transfer portal has made matters worse, with top HBCU athletes being poached by larger programs with deeper pockets. “We’re being used as a stepping stone,” Holloman admitted.

Congressional Black Caucus Steps In

CBC Chairwoman Yvette Clarke has agreed to meet with HBCU commissioners this month. Their plea? Federal intervention to stop a patchwork of state laws that are creating chaos in college athletics and harming HBCU programs the most.

“To ensure that college sports broadly—and HBCU sports especially—can continue to thrive, it’s essential that Congress affirm that student-athletes are not employees,” the commissioners wrote in their letter.

HBCU Sports at a Crossroads

Not long ago, HBCU athletics were thriving. Deion Sanders’ tenure at Jackson State brought national attention, and post-George Floyd donations helped programs expand. Morgan State even revived men’s wrestling under Olympic champion Kenny Monday.

But now, all of that progress is in jeopardy.

If Congress moves forward without HBCU voices in the conversation, the very foundation of HBCU sports could crumble. The commissioners’ message is clear: If Washington doesn’t act now, it will be responsible for the downfall of Black college athletics.

The question is—will Congress listen?