DeSantis: We need Florida to be No. 1 in college football again

As college sports’ powerbrokers continue to wait for Congress to help solve some of their largest issues, Gov. Ron DeSantis has another idea.

Let states work it out.

DeSantis said Wednesday he has spoken with other governors about addressing name, image and likeness and the NCAA transfer portal, which have become “almost like yearly free agency.”

“I think there needs to be a framework in place, and I’ve talked to some other governors about maybe we can kind of come together on some things,” DeSantis said during a news conference about Florida education. “I don’t think Congress is ever going to address this. They can’t address anything.”

States have addressed issues themselves, which created their own issues. Coaches and administrators have bemoaned the patchwork system of state laws related to name, image and likeness (NIL).

In 2020, DeSantis signed into law a bill that allowed name, image and likeness payments in Florida; it helped force the NCAA to open it up nationally. But other states signed their own laws, which were often less restrictive and were perceived as competitive advantages.

Missouri allowed players to start profiting in high school once they signed with an in-state program. More than 30 other states allowed their high school athletes to cash in on name, image and likeness before Florida formally changed its rules this week.

DeSantis brought up college sports in his remarks because he views them as very important to the state. Last year, he proposed earmarking $1 million to help Florida State in any litigation related to its exclusion from the College Football Playoff. He has also stressed the importance of trying to keep Florida’s top recruits in the state instead of leaving for programs like Alabama and Clemson.

“We just need them to be No. 1 in football again,” DeSantis said of the state’s schools.

DeSantis added that playing in the SEC gives the Gators “no margin for error.”

“I am very happy that Nick Saban is enjoying retirement, because he was tough to beat when he was at Alabama,” DeSantis said. “Hopefully, we’ll start to see some things there.”

Times staff writer Divya Kumar contributed to this report.