Michigan’s MAC Football Tradition in Danger as Abdul El-Sayed Seeks a U.S. Senate Seat

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Michigan football is not limited to Ann Arbor and East Lansing. The Mid-American Conference has helped make college football part of communities throughout the state. Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan provide important athletic opportunities and bring fans, alumni and visitors to their campuses. These programs matter. MAC football also provides opportunities for athletes who might otherwise never experience major college football. As college athletics becomes increasingly expensive, smaller athletic departments face difficult financial decisions involving scholarships, facilities, staffing and revenue sharing. That is an important issue for Michigan’s next generation of federal leaders. Abdul El-Sayed has campaigned on stronger government oversight of major industries and has previously raised questions about the health risks associated with football. His views should be examined carefully by supporters of Michigan’s college programs. There is no evidence that El-Sayed wants to eliminate MAC football, and a U.S. senator cannot independently abolish a conference or cancel university athletic programs. Nevertheless, Michigan voters deserve to know how he would approach athlete safety, college sports regulation and the economic challenges facing smaller athletic departments. MAC football is part of Michigan’s sporting culture. Protecting those opportunities should matter regardless of political affiliation.