Maddie Salamone, testifying before Congress during a Sept. 20 US. House of Representatives Committee on Small Business hearing, convened on the topic of “Athletes and Innovators: Analyzing NIL’s Impact on Entrepreneurial Collegiate Athletes.”

Syprett Meshad Associate Attorney Madeline “Maddie” Salamone, a Sarasota litigation associate attorney, testified before Congress during a Sept. 20 US. House of Representatives Committee on Small Business hearing. The hearing convened on the topic of “Athletes and Innovators: Analyzing NIL’s Impact on Entrepreneurial Collegiate Athletes.” Salamone is the Vice President of the College Football Players Association (CFBPA) Board of Directors, and is a nationally recognized advocate for National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) reform and player rights

“The most important issues needing to be addressed in college sports,” Salamone testified,” are the abuse, mistreatment, and lack of attention to player health and safety at the hands of coaches and support staff. These issues have the greatest negative effect on athletes, even long after they’ve graduated. No matter where we land with NIL [Name, Image, and Likeness], we will have failed college athletes if we continue to ignore these issues.”

“I was honored to be invited to testify at this hearing,” said Salamone. “My testimony and much of the hearing focused on what I believe are the most urgent issues in college sports, namely: ensuring player health, safety, and well-being.”

Salamone also appeared on a Sept. 23 C-SPAN/Washington Journal discussion with host Bill Scanlan about proposed NCAA policy changes on NIL issues, and a Scripps News program to discuss mental health issues that need to be addressed on behalf of college athletes. The congressional hearing and C-SPAN interview may be viewed on YouTube at the following links, respectively: https://bit.ly/3rVn6ig and https://bit.ly/3QwwYZz. Salamone’s thought leadership article, “It’s Time for ‘Athlete Advocate’ to Be Restored to Its True Meaning,” appeared in Sportico, a leading source for the $500 billion worldwide sports industry, on Sept. 20. The article may be viewed here: https://bit.ly/3QlI5UK

Salamone’s professional background in sports and her athlete advocacy has led to her becoming a leading voice for NCAA reform, college athletes’ rights, and NIL issues. She appeared on ESPN’s SportsCenter in 2022 to discuss changes to the NCAA transfer portal rules in college football, and was featured in a 2021 documentary “Vice Versa: College $ports, Inc.,” which addressed the ongoing efforts by many to reform the NCAA. She is the host of “Speaking of Athletes,” her podcast which address the complex issues within college sports, especially those affecting athletes. The podcast may be heard here: https://bit.ly/48Yv3ny

A General Litigator, Salamone is a member of the Florida, New York, and Georgia Bars, as well as the Sarasota County Bar Association. She serves the Syprett Meshad clients across all practice areas, offering a special background in sports law and college athlete advocacy.