IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Deion Sanders is facing intense backlash for supporting the Protect College Sports Act.
This month Sanders appeared in a commercial supporting the act because he feels he’s “helping the next generation find their spotlight.”
“That’s why I support the Protect College Sports Act,” said Sanders in the ad. “It gives student-athletes a chance to shine on and off the field.”
When @DeionSanders speaks about College Sports (or any sports) people should listen! He was not only a legendary athlete, but also deeply cares about current and former athletes, and understands that the value of sports goes far beyond what happens on the field our court! pic.twitter.com/eTK90DzrZw
— Cody Campbell (@CodyC64) September 8, 2026
Fans have criticized the act for trying to cap athletes’ NIL earnings.
During his radio show on Tuesday, Fox Sports’ Rob Parker blasted Sanders and straight up called him a sellout for supporting the act.
“Deion Sanders with a PSA, or was that a BSA?” Parker said. “I got to admit it bothers me to the high heavens. Hearing that PSA from Deion made me want to throw up in my mouth.”
“Seriously, I’m bothered that Deion Sanders, of all people, would sell out his own people with this bogus Protect College Sports Act,”
“The crime of it all is that there’s so few Black coaches, like 13 in college football Division I,” Parker said. “He’s the most high-profile. He was a star athlete in college. He checks all the boxes on being the one to stand up and say what you’re trying to do to these kids is wrong, and instead you join in.”
“Deion Sanders is a SELLOUT to his OWN people” 😮
📺 @robparkerMLBbro and @Kdubblive discuss Deion Sanders doing a protect college sports ad @OddCoupleFSR 👀 pic.twitter.com/c0NgOb2qWd
— FOX Sports Radio (@FoxSportsRadio) September 29, 2026
Earlier this week, Sanders was asked about his involvement in the ad and gave media members a short answer.
“I was asked to do something, I did it because I thought it was the right thing to do, along with certain colleagues of mine that shared in on doing their version of it as well. But… I shot it and that was it. I haven’t thought about it since.”