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Rep. Michael Baumgartner, R-Wash., criticized Big Ten Conference commissioner Tony Petitti on Wednesday after SCORE Act voting in the House of Representatives is delayed.
The Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act is an attempt by federal lawmakers to regulate name, image and likeness transactions in collegiate athletics. The bill passed a procedural vote to advance to the House floor, but the final vote was canceled two hours before it was due.
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Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti speaks during an NCAA college football press conference at Lucas Oil Stadium on July 23, 2024 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Baumgartner is one of the House Republicans who does not support the SCORE Act. He wrote on X that the bill does not treat athletes equally in all sports, does not prohibit private investment from participating in college sports, does not cap coaching salaries, does not fix the wild west of the NIL and the transfer portal, does not end the widespread realignment, and does not hold the relevant people accountable for making decisions that will affect the landscape of college sports as a whole.
“If the Big Ten commissioner spent LESS money trying to buy votes from DC lobbyists and put MORE effort into STOP being a bullying jerk, then Congress could pass sensible legislation to fix college sports,” he added.
He agreed with Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, that the bill “is not ready for prime time.”
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese (8) tackles Michigan Wolverines running back Bryson Kuzzal (24) during an NCAA football game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan, November 29, 2025. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
SCORE ACT RECEIVES SUPPORT OF MORE THAN 20 CONSERVATIVE GROUPS AS FIGHT FOR ZERO REFORMS INCREASES
“Congress should (form) a special committee on College Sports To untangle the many legitimate issues raised below,” Baumgartner wrote on X, pointing out Roy’s concerns. “One of the problems this year is that 4 committees have jurisdiction over this issue and they do not have the coordinated focus needed to create the bipartisan solution needed. Ultimately, this will also require the participation of the President (precedent: Teddy Roosevelt helped Congress save college football 100 years ago).”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Big Ten for comment.
White House approved the legislation Tuesday, but Roy, along with Reps. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., and Scott Perry, R-Pa., voted with Democrats to block the legislation.
Rep. Chip Roy, Republican of Texas, speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill on October 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
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The SCORE Act would provide the NCAA with a limited exemption from antitrust laws in hopes of protecting the NCAA from potential lawsuits over eligibility rules and would prohibit athletes from becoming employees of their schools. It prevents schools from using student fees to fund nil payments. Republicans could try to vote on the legislation as soon as Thursday.
Fox News' Ryan Morick contributed to this report.
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