Power Five Conferences Upped Spending on Lobbying Congress

(AP) — The Power Five conferences spent $350,000 lobbying Congress in the first three months of 2020. That's more than they had previously spent in any full year, according to lobbying disclosure forms reviewed by The Associated Press. The spending is part of a coordinated effort by the conferences to influence Congress on legislation affecting the ability of college athletes to earn endorsement money. The Power Five have joined the NCAA in pushing for a federal law to avoid multiple state laws on the topic. Records show the Southeastern Conference was the biggest spender.