Former ESPN host hypocritically calls network a 'political lobbying firm' after Ted Cruz appearance
Sen. Ted Cruz to Appear on ESPN’s “College GameDay” to Talk Save College Sports Act
August 12 2026 – Austin, Texas
ESPN announced that U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R‑Texas) will appear as a special guest on the network’s “College GameDay” broadcast, slated to air next week in Austin. During the segment, Cruz is expected to discuss the bipartisan “Save College Sports Act,” a piece of legislation he co‑authored that seeks to address a range of issues affecting collegiate athletics, including the National‑Letter‑I‑Name (NIL) marketplace, transfer rules, and the transfer portal.
The “College GameDay” appearance comes after ESPN’s recent history of featuring political figures on its sports programming. In 2025, the show hosted Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro during a visit to the University of Pittsburgh, and in 2023 it celebrated transgender swimmer Lia Thomas in a segment tied to Women’s History Month.
The invitation sparked an immediate reaction on social‑media platform X (formerly Twitter). Former ESPN personality Jemele Hill posted a statement that read, “Did not know ESPN had become a political lobbying firm.” Hill’s comment has been widely shared, prompting a flurry of responses from viewers and commentators.
Hill has a long record of political commentary while with ESPN. In 2016, she moderated a town‑hall event titled “Athletes, Responsibility and Violence,” and in July of that year she posted on X about police officers leaving a WNBA game after Minnesota Lynx players wore Black Lives Matter shirts. Hill’s 2017 remarks on police, former President Donald Trump, and conservative politics—most notably calling Trump a “white supremacist”—led ESPN to issue a public statement distancing the network from her views.
ESPN’s own engagement in political issues has been documented on several occasions. In 2022, former ESPN personality Elle Duncan spoke live on air in support of a protest against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ “Don’t Say Gay” bill. The network’s public statements and programming have often intersected with contemporary political debates.
Cruz, a former mayor of Houston and a prominent Republican, co‑authored the Save College Sports Act with Senator Joe Manchin (D‑West Virginia). The legislation, which aims to provide clarity and consistency for student‑athletes and universities, has garnered bipartisan support. ESPN’s decision to bring Cruz onto “College GameDay” aligns with the show’s tradition of featuring high‑profile figures to discuss issues affecting college sports.
While Hill’s reaction has drawn attention, the network’s choice to spotlight a political figure on a sports‑focused platform reflects a broader trend of sports media engaging with policy topics. As “College GameDay” prepares for its Austin broadcast, viewers can anticipate a discussion that bridges the worlds of collegiate athletics and legislative policy.