Joe Manchin says it's hard to root for freshmen and sophomores when they're multi-millionaires

Joe Manchin participated in a Congressional hearing on Tuesday about name, image and likeness, and turned heads when he made a candid comment.

“It’s hard to root for the kids when they’re multi millionaires as freshmen and sophomores,” said Manchin, D-West Virginia, per Dan Wolken.

Manchin has bill with Sen. Tommy Tuberville that would largely prevent athletes from transferring for first three years at school. Says current transfer situation results in athletes who transfer having “chances of graduating (that are) slim to none” https://t.co/zP0FO4nDoQ

— Steve Berkowitz (@ByBerkowitz) October 17, 2023

NCAA President Charlie Baker, Big Ten Commissioner Tony Pettiti and others testified about compensation for college athletes for their NIL rights before the Senate Judiciary Committee

There’s been a myriad of NIL issues raised at the hearing, including Ole Miss’ collective putting forth a revenue-sharing plan. But also the need for increased enforcement and oversight of the marketplace.

Baker, who took over as NCAA president in March, has focused his time in Washington lobbying lawmakers to help college sports with a federal law to regulate how athletes can be compensated for their fame.

At the hearing, Baker said that absent Congressional action, he thinks Division II and Division III schools will get out of college sports.

NCAA leaders are looking for nn antitrust exemption, preemption over state NIL laws and making sure that athletes are not employees. But they’ve covered plenty of issues, from Deion Sanders to