House Committees Approve College Sports Compensation Bill

The Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act, a bill proposing a national framework for college athlete compensation, advanced through two U.S. House committees along party lines, marking a significant step toward a full House vote expected in September. Supported predominantly by Republicans, the bill would prevent athletes from being classified as employees, codify name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights with some restrictions, and grant the NCAA and conferences antitrust protections and authority over compensation and eligibility rules. Critics, including several state attorneys general and Democrats, argue the bill concentrates too much power in the NCAA's hands and lacks sufficient labor protections for athletes. The SCORE Act reflects years of NCAA lobbying aimed at stabilizing college sports amid legal uncertainties but faces a challenging path in the Senate, where bipartisan support is required. Key provisions include mandatory NIL profit opportunities with permitted limitations, medical benefit requirements for programs with high-paid coaches, and protections for the NCAA against legal challenges on compensation and transfer rules. Despite some athlete protections like a minimum revenue-sharing cap and transfer guarantees, the bill has sparked widespread debate over athlete rights and NCAA authority.