Ted Cruz draws boos on College GameDay in Austin
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz was jeered on ESPN before Texas played Ohio State while promoting a college-sports bill.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
2 min read
Ted Cruz college gameday boos became part of ESPN’s pregame broadcast in Austin on Sept. 12, when the Texas senator was met by boos and chants of “Ted, you suck” during an appearance before Texas played Ohio State.
Cruz joined host Rece Davis on College GameDay to promote the Protect College Sports Act, according to USA Today. The outlet reported that jeers continued through much of the segment, while TMZ and TheWrap also reported the chant from the crowd.
Why was Ted Cruz on College GameDay?
Cruz appeared to build support for the Protect College Sports Act, legislation he sponsors with Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Washington Democrat, USA Today reported. The bill addresses rules around college athletics, including athletes’ name, image and likeness compensation, known as NIL, and eligibility.
The reports do not establish why individual people in the Austin audience booed, and Cruz’s appearance came before a high-profile nonconference football game rather than a congressional hearing.
Video described by TMZ showed the chants growing loud enough that Cruz raised his voice to continue talking. USA Today said the crowd response eased later in the appearance, which it reported lasted for just under eight minutes.
What is the Protect College Sports Act?
USA Today described the measure as bipartisan legislation intended to set national rules amid changes in college sports brought by NIL deals and transfer policy. TheWrap reported that the proposal would give the NCAA an antitrust exemption to enforce NIL and eligibility rules, while also allowing conferences to pool broadcast rights in negotiations.
The policy fight is separate from the crowd reaction. Cruz told viewers that college athletic departments were facing financial pressure and warned that failing to act could hurt women’s and non-revenue sports, TheWrap reported.
Sen. Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat, has criticized the legislation. USA Today reported that Murphy argued in May that its antitrust exemption and a hard cap would leave athletes underpaid; TheWrap said Murphy was preparing a press event opposing the proposal. USA Today also reported that College GameDay did not feature an opponent of the bill during Cruz’s segment.
Cruz later addressed the reception himself in a post on X, according to TheWrap, writing that he had stayed in the pocket and urging viewers to contact their senators in support of the legislation.
USA Today’s report on the appearance includes further details on the broadcast and the bill.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.