Members of the U.S. House of Representatives are preparing to introduce an updated college sports bill known as the Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act. According to a source cited by On3’s Pete Nakos, this significant legislation could debut as early as Thursday, aiming to usher in important changes within the landscape of college athletics.
### The SCORE Act and Its Implications
The primary goal of the SCORE Act is to codify the settlement reached in the House v. NCAA case, which has implications for how student-athletes can engage with Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities. This legislation is expected to pass through the House of Representatives relatively easily. However, once it reaches the Senate, it will require the support of seven Democratic votes to clear the legislative hurdle.
If all goes according to plan, the first subcommittee markup could occur the following Tuesday, with a committee markup slated for the end of the month. This timeline highlights the urgency and importance attached to the legislation.
### Involvement of Key Representatives
Reps. Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) and Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) were instrumental in developing a discussion draft of the SCORE Act last month. They see the bill as a “tri-committee effort to stabilize” the rapidly evolving NIL marketplace. In a statement, Guthrie emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to improve the student-athlete experience while maintaining the educational mission of the institutions involved.
“NIL presents outstanding opportunities for student-athletes, but the volatility and frequency of changes have left both teams and players without a reliable foundation on which to plan,” said Guthrie. His appreciation for Bilirakis’s hard work underscores the collaborative spirit that defines this legislative effort.
### Key Features of the Amended Act
The amended version of the SCORE Act, as outlined by Yahoo! Sports’ Ross Dellenger, introduces several key features aimed at shaping the future of college athletics. It proposes to provide liability protection for educational institutions and to preempt current state-level NIL laws, creating a more uniform regulatory environment. Additionally, an anti-employment clause aims to clarify the status of student-athletes, while new regulations for agents are being included to create transparency and accountability.
One of the more intriguing aspects of the bill is its mandate that NIL deals must have a “valid business purpose.” This requirement may influence how brands and student-athletes engage in partnerships, potentially reshaping the landscape of college athletics further.
### The Broader Context of NCAA Legislation
The push for federal legislation surrounding college sports was sparked by the settlement reached in the House v. NCAA case, which opened the floodgates for reforms across college athletics. This environment has fostered further proposals, such as the “College Student-Athlete Protections and Opportunities through Rights, Transparency and Safety Act,” or the College SPORTS Act, introduced by U.S. Representatives Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) and Janelle Bynum (D-Ore.).
Interestingly, former President Donald Trump has also expressed interest in the future of college sports. Discussions about forming a commission earlier this year featured big names like former Alabama head coach Nick Saban and Texas Tech board chairman Cody Campbell—who initiated the school’s NIL collective, The Matador Club—as potential co-chairs. However, these plans were reportedly put on hold in light of the anticipated federal push for legislation.
Trump even considered an executive order regarding college sports following a meeting with Saban, showcasing the increasing focus on student-athlete rights and the evolving landscape of college athletics.
As the SCORE Act moves forward, it holds the potential to change the way college sports operate, bringing both opportunities and challenges to student-athletes, institutions, and sponsors alike.
