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Emails obtained by Front Office Sports detail efforts by Saving College Sports to build Senate support for the Protect College Sports Act, with outreach to political figures, university leaders, conference commissioners and a DraftKings executive.
The legislation would establish nationwide rules for college athletes’ compensation, eligibility and transfers, while granting antitrust protections to the NCAA, conferences and schools. No West Virginia-specific gambling or player-access change was reported.
DraftKings executive says involvement was in university role
According to Front Office Sports’ Oct. 21 report, Dary Stone sent emails over the summer on behalf of Saving College Sports, an advocacy group created by Cody Campbell to push federal college sports legislation.
Malcolm Turner, a DraftKings executive and chair of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s board, was among those invited to an Aug. 4 strategy call with Sen. Eric Schmitt. David McIntosh of the Club for Growth also received an invitation.
Turner told Front Office Sports that he participates in Saving College Sports in his capacity as UNC-Chapel Hill board chair, not on behalf of DraftKings. That distinction matters: his inclusion in the outreach does not establish that the sportsbook was lobbying for the bill.
The invitation went to roughly 150 recipients, including several conference commissioners and dozens of university leaders. No attendance records were produced for the call.
Emails show coordinated legislative outreach
Front Office Sports obtained the emails through public records requests to the University of North Carolina, Florida State University and the University of Louisville.
The messages describe efforts to mobilize university and conference leadership. On July 30, Stone instructed recipients to contact their presidents ahead of an expected conference vote on the legislation. The SEC and Big Ten officially expressed support the next day.
On Aug. 6, Stone asked university presidents, chancellors and commissioners to contact senators. His final update in the produced records, sent Aug. 7, described continuing negotiations to secure enough support for a Senate vote.
The report also documented political donations by people involved in the network. Campbell and Stone gave a combined $30,000 to Winning for America Fund in late June 2026. Saving College Sports’ full donor list was not publicly disclosed.
House action remained unresolved
The Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act 77–22 on Sept. 28, according to Front Office Sports. As of its Oct. 21 report, the bill was awaiting a House vote.
Critics say the proposed compensation and eligibility framework would restrict athletes’ earning potential and legal rights, while its antitrust protections would shield the NCAA from lawsuits.
The reported provisions concern college sports governance, rather than a change to West Virginia sportsbook access or betting rules. The source does not establish a House voting date or a final legislative outcome.
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Source: As reported by Front Office Sports.
