Bill to hide public money paid to college athletes nears final passage

Louisiana legislators are advancing House Bill 608, which would exempt public records detailing payments to college athletes from disclosure. The bill, supported by LSU athletics leaders, creates a loophole in the state’s public records law to conceal how public funds are distributed to athletes under NCAA revenue-sharing rules. Opponents, including Sen. Greg Miller and Sen. Beth Mizell, argue the legislation creates a double standard by shielding athlete payments while public salaries of non-athlete university employees remain transparent.