Baumgartner backs Protect Act to preserve local college-sports model
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Summary
Rep. Michael Baumgartner described his Protect Act as an effort to rein in commercialization of college athletics, preserve small-college and Olympic-sport opportunities, and protect local economic ties to university athletics in Eastern Washington.
On Spokane County Spotlight, Rep. Michael Baumgartner outlined a legislative effort he described as the "Protect Act," aimed at preserving what he called the traditional and community-serving model of college athletics.
"It tries to look at a fiscally responsible model for college sports that maintains what's good for our local communities and avoids what I would call the slide to a second NFL," Baumgartner said. He argued that the breakup of the Pac-12 and new conference arrangements have concentrated revenue while reducing opportunities for student-athletes at smaller campuses.
Baumgartner cited local impact, saying Washington State University has "lost over $30,000,000 a year in revenue" to changes in college athletics; he framed that loss as material for Pullman and Eastern Washington economic development. He also said the bill seeks to protect Olympic sports such as volleyball and swimming, not just football and basketball.
Baumgartner characterized the proposal as bipartisan and aimed at preserving opportunities for high-school athletes to compete at nearby colleges: "It's something that's been very popular ... it's not a Republican or a Democrat issue." He said the bill would create governance to limit excessive coach buyouts and unrestricted NIL-style market forces.
The interview did not include text of the bill nor legislative language; Baumgartner described the objectives and local impacts rather than announcing a specific enacted measure.