Sens. Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell have introduced bipartisan legislation, The Protect College Sports Act:
• One-time transfer, 5-year eligibility
• “Lane Kiffin Rule” preventing coaches from leaving midseason
• Ban pro players, including international pro players
I am not being critical or positive. I have not read the details. I only thought it would be interesting to point out that Senator Cantwell was a Miami graduate, Class of 1981.
I knew Maria well when I served as Seattle’s Miami Alumni Chapter coordinator. She’s originally from Indianapolis.
Oddly enough, Maria was actually my state legislator in Olympia. Then she became my Congresswoman and eventually my Senator. I stopped at the Capitol complex to say hello a couple of times during my business trips to DC in the 90s and 00s.
Maria participated in quite a few of our alumni events in Seattle. We sat together at the luncheon we held for Randy Walker.
She even brought then staffer Ari Melber - a Seattle native - to our 2003 GMAC Bowl watch party. Ari was skeptical about how good Ben was until he watched the game unfold. He was quite impressed but still wouldn’t concede that Miami could give his Michigan Wolverines a game.
Maria has always been a huge Mariners fan and was aware of my involvement with the team.
As a huge sports fan, I’m not surprised she would co-sponsor this bill.