Surging Support to Save College Sports, plus Mollie Hemingway on the Great Justice Sam Alito

College sports in the United States is on the brink of collapse, according to Senator Ted Cruz, who warns that without immediate congressional action, hundreds of athletic programs—especially non-revenue sports like tennis and women’s teams—will vanish within five years. The crisis stems from an unchecked transfer portal, bloated rosters, and unsustainable financial models that are bankrupting schools. Cruz introduced the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act with Senator Maria Cantwell and other lawmakers, backed by powerful figures including Coach Nick Saban, former university presidents, and even President Donald J. Trump. Saban’s testimony revealed that some schools now spend nearly $40 million on football alone, threatening to eliminate all but the most profitable sports. The bill aims to cap athlete compensation, limit transfers, and preserve college athletics as an educational pathway for millions—particularly low-income and minority students who often gain their first college degree through sports. Cruz emphasizes that the real tragedy isn’t just the loss of games, but the loss of life-changing opportunities for 99% of athletes who will never play professionally. Meanwhile, the episode also previews a deep dive into Supreme Court justice Samuel Alito through a new book by Molly Hemingway, signaling a shift from sports policy to judicial philosophy.