Political law attorney Nicole Robinson is arguing that Black athletes competing in major Southern college sports conferences are helping generate billions for institutions located in states accused of undermining Black voting rights.
In a widely circulated Instagram video, Robinson connected college athletics, racial politics and voting rights battles unfolding across the South, particularly in states governed by Republican legislatures facing accusations of racial gerrymandering and voter suppression.
“When you take your talent and your NIL money to an SEC school in a state that is trying to strip away your constitutional rights, you are funding the infrastructure of your own disenfranchisement,” Robinson said.
Robinson pointed specifically to the Southeastern Conference, commonly known as the SEC, which generated more than $1 billion in revenue last year through powerhouse athletic programs including University of Alabama, University of Georgia, Louisiana State University and University of Tennessee.
“The SEC made one billion dollars off Black athletes last year, in the same states that are stripping Black votes,” Robinson said.
Robinson’s comments come as voting rights groups continue challenging congressional and legislative district maps in multiple Southern states, arguing that Black political representation has been intentionally diluted through redistricting strategies often referred to as “packing” and “cracking.”
The attorney also highlighted a new campaign launched by the NAACP called “Out of Bounds,” which encourages Black athletes to reconsider offering athletic and financial support to universities in states accused of suppressing Black political power.
Robinson framed Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or HBCUs, as an alternative pathway for Black athletes seeking both professional opportunities and culturally affirming educational environments.
“As a former Division I HBCU athlete, I can tell you that I made the best decision when I chose Texas Southern,” Robinson said, referring to Texas Southern University.
She also pointed to statistics frequently cited by HBCU advocates, including claims that HBCUs produce a disproportionately high percentage of Black doctors, attorneys and judges nationwide despite representing a small percentage of American colleges and universities.
“The HBCU experience didn’t hold me back; it built me,” Robinson wrote in her accompanying post.
The discussion reflects a growing intersection between sports activism and political advocacy as athletes increasingly use their visibility to address issues ranging from racial justice to voting rights and education equity.
Robinson argued that Black athletes possess political and economic influence extending far beyond sports performance.
“What if the most powerful thing a Black athlete can do right now had nothing to do with their performance on the field?” she asked.
The comments sparked strong reactions online, with some supporters praising Robinson for connecting athletics to broader systems of political and economic power. Others argued student-athletes should not be pressured to base college decisions primarily on state politics.
Still, Robinson maintained that the economic power generated by Black athletes deserves greater political consideration, especially in states where battles over voting access and representation remain ongoing.
