Congress Introduces Bipartisan College Sports Framework After NCAA Settlement

Following a federal judge's approval of a landmark antitrust settlement involving the NCAA and Power Five conferences, bipartisan momentum is building in Congress to establish national standards for college sports. Two key bills have been introduced: the College SPORTS Act by Reps. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) and Janelle Bynum (D-Ore.), and the SCORE Act discussion draft by Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) and Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.), both aiming to codify athletes' rights to earn from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) while preventing them from being classified as employees. These bills would empower the NCAA and possibly a new Collegiate Sports Commission to create operational rules with legal immunity and preempt conflicting state laws, effectively ending the patchwork of NIL regulations and ongoing lawsuits. Provisions also include guaranteeing scholarships, medical coverage, agent registration, and degree completion within 10 years. The measures reflect a concerted legislative effort supported by major conferences and seek to bring clarity and uniformity to college athlete compensation and protections. Hearings on these proposals are underway, signaling a significant step toward federal regulation of college sports.