Bill to hide public money paid to college athletes nears final passage
Louisiana’s House Bill 608, sponsored by Rep. Tehmi Chassion, passed the state Senate with amendments and now awaits a final House vote to exempt public payments to college athletes from state transparency laws. The bill faces opposition from senators like Greg Miller and Beth Mizell, who argue it creates a double standard by hiding athlete compensation while public records exist for university staff salaries.
Louisiana lawmakers advanced a bill that would shield public payments to college athletes from disclosure under the state’s open records law. House Bill 608, introduced by Rep. Tehmi Chassion of Lafayette, passed the Senate on a 22-13 vote but requires a final House vote after Senate amendments. The legislation aims to create a new exemption in Louisiana’s public records law, preventing the release of details on how universities distribute public funds—including tax dollars, ticket sales, and student fees—to athletes under NCAA revenue-sharing rules. The bill has drawn support from LSU Athletics, with leaders like Executive Deputy Athletics Director Julie Cromer and Senior Deputy AD Heath Schroyer advocating for its passage. Critics, including Sen. Greg Miller of Norco, argue the measure establishes an unfair distinction, as salaries for university professors and administrators remain public records. Miller questioned whether the bill was designed to protect athletes or obscure excessive compensation, noting some college athletes now earn more than many professional players. Sen. Beth Mizell of Franklinton, whose separate bill to cap sports gambling funding for college athletics failed earlier, called athletics a ‘luxury’ compared to early childhood education. Current law directs 25% of sports gambling revenue to both early childhood programs (capped at $20 million) and the SPORT Fund for college athletics, which is expected to exceed $24 million. Mizell’s proposal would have applied the same cap to athletics funding but died after opposition from university athletic departments. All Louisiana public universities with Division I programs have denied requests for revenue-sharing records, citing existing exemptions. The Louisiana Illuminator, WAFB-TV, and Tiger Rag are suing LSU over the denial, arguing transparency is necessary for public accountability. The bill’s fate now rests on the House, where it must be approved in its amended form to become law.
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