The National Collegiate Athletic Association and its Big 12 Conference have recruited lobbying help in Washington, D.C., as the organizations face attacks over their use of unpaid student athletes.

The NCAA and the Big 12 have directed lobbyists from Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck and Polsinelli to advocate for them on issues concerning the “welfare” of student athletes, according to lobbying registration reports (NCAA and Big 12) filed Friday.