With the adoption of the NIL two years ago, many feel that former NCAA commissioner Mark Emmert opened the barn door and let the horses out, unleashing a Wild West-type environment regarding the money and endorsement deals available to college athletes. Certain states have passed laws that apply only within their own borders, often giving them an advantage over other states. In a bipartisan effort, several senators, including Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal, are proposing a bill to create a framework for a set of laws to govern NIL limits nationwide. If teams compete within the same state, there isn’t an issue, but what happens when meeting an opposing school from elsewhere? Will this bill be enough to create parity within the NCAA? Should it be left up to the individual governors to say what is fair in their jurisdiction and agree to enact closely comparable laws, or would that lead to more problems? How will the athletes be affected? Does the opportunity to make money through the NIL help to set up future financial security to pay for treatment of injuries acquired while playing that the NCAA and universities don’t cover?

Are running backs not getting their due respect in the NFL player hierarchy? Is the NFL only in love with the passing game and not the running game? Running backs, often considered the backbones of football teams, spend the most time on the field and have a shorter career capacity physically because of it. Did Saquon Barkley try to bargain for a bigger salary and miss a better deal? Was Josh Jacobs left out in the cold by the Raiders?

Is there a possibility that Shohei Ohtani may jump the Angels’ ship and join the Dodgers? Other teams not usually known for paying big salaries are clamoring for him as well, and if he’s not traded before the trading deadline on August 1st, he will become a free agent. Will all sorts of money, and opportunities, be lost if that happens? Of everyone involved, do Angels fans have the most to lose if this once-in-a-generation player leaves?

Email Fred, Art, and Laura with questions and comments at sportsfred@aol.com