Floor procedure

Quick facts

Record: Senate Floor
Section type: Procedure
Chamber: Senate
Date: September 17, 2026
Congress: 119th Congress
Why this source matters: This section came from the Senate floor portion of the record.

Linked context

Bills and resolutions: S. 4668 (119th Congress)
Committees: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Committee on Energy and Commerce

Readable version of the official text

PROTECT COLLEGE SPORTS ACT OF 2026

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will resume legislative session.

Cloture having been invoked, the clerk will report the bill.

The senior assistant legislative clerk read the bill as follows:

A bill (S. 4668) to protect the name, image, and likeness

rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and

to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics,

and for other purposes, which had been reported from the

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with an

amendment to strike all after the enacting clause and insert

the part printed in italic, as follows:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.—This Act may be cited as the “Protect

College Sports Act of 2026”.

(b) Table of Contents.—The table of contents for this Act

is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

TITLE I—PROTECTIONS OF STUDENT ATHLETES AND FAIR COMPETITION

Sec. 100. Definitions. Sec. 101. Name, image, and likeness protections. Sec. 102. Modifications to Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act. Sec. 103. Agent registry requirements for intercollegiate athletic

associations. Sec. 104. Disclosures and establishment of name, image, and likeness

agreement database. Sec. 105. Academic protections. Sec. 106. Medical coverage requirements. Sec. 107. Health, wellness, and safety standards. Sec. 108. Office of the Student Athlete Ombudsman. Sec. 109. Comparable standards for access to facilities, services, and

events. Sec. 110. Rules governing certain mid-season coaching transitions. Sec. 111. Student athlete representation on intercollegiate athletic

association governing boards. Sec. 112. Transfer protections. Sec. 113. Eligibility to participate in intercollegiate sports. Sec. 114. Prohibited compensation and agreements. Sec. 115. Extension of the revenue share cap. Sec. 116. Commission on the Future of College Athletics. Sec. 117. Recruitment and tampering. Sec. 118. Limitation on liability. Sec. 119. Private right of action. Sec. 120. Whistleblower protection. Sec. 121. Relationship to existing law. Sec. 122. Neutrality on employee or non-employee status. Sec. 123. Applicability. Sec. 124. Severability. Sec. 125. Protection of women's sports and Olympic sports. Sec. 126. Mid-sized conference representation on intercollegiate

athletic association governing boards.

TITLE II—SPORTS BROADCASTING

Sec. 201. Definitions. Sec. 202. Limitation on liability for transmission of collegiate sports

competitions. Sec. 203. Requirements for entities selling media rights. Sec. 204. Market level broadcast access for college football and

basketball. Sec. 205. Prohibition on certain conference mergers or acquisition. Sec. 206. Amendments to intercollegiate and interscholastic football

contest limitations. Sec. 207. Media rights utilization requirement for college sports other

than football and basketball.

TITLE I—PROTECTIONS OF STUDENT ATHLETES AND FAIR COMPETITION

SEC. 100. DEFINITIONS.

In this title:

(1) Antitrust laws.—The term “antitrust laws” has the

meaning given that term in the 1st section of the Clayton Act

(15 U.S.C. 12) and includes—

(A) section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15

U.S.C. 45) to the extent that such section 5 applies to

unfair methods of competition; and

(B) any similar State antitrust law, including a State law

provision that applies to covering unfair methods of

competition having the force and effect of law.

(2) Associated entity.—The term “associated entity”

means any individual or entity, including a collective, that

is—

(A) known, or should have been known, to exist for or act

for the benefit of, in coordination with, or at the direction

of an institution to promote or support an institution's

athletics program or student athletes, including by creating

or identifying name, image, and likeness compensation

opportunities for an institution's student athletes;

(B) an individual or entity that is or was a member,

employee, director, officer, owner, or agent of an individual

or entity described in subparagraph (A);

(including contributions by an affiliated entity, individual,

or family member) has contributed more than $50,000 over

their lifetime to a particular institution or to an

individual or entity described in subparagraph (A);

(D) an individual or entity that has directly or indirectly

been directed or requested by an institution or third party

acting on behalf of, for the benefit of, in coordination

with, or at the direction of an institution to assist in the

recruitment or retention of student athletes or prospective

student athletes, or otherwise has assisted in the

recruitment or retention of student athletes or prospective

student athletes; or

(E) an individual or entity owned, controlled, or operated

by, or otherwise affiliated with the individuals or entities

described in subparagraph (A).

(3) Athlete agent.—The term “athlete agent” has the

meaning given that term in section 2 of the Sports Agent

Responsibility and Trust Act (15 U.S.C. 7801).

(4) Collective.—The term “collective”—

(A) means a person, corporation, booster organization, tax-

exempt organization, or other entity that provides donations

or other support directly or indirectly to or for the benefit

or support of—

(i) a student athlete who is enrolled, or who may enroll,

at an institution; or

(ii) the intercollegiate athletics program or any booster

organization of an institution; and

(B) does not include—

(i) an immediate family member of a student athlete; or

(ii) an individual or entity that—

(I) licenses trademark rights of an institution; and

(II) does not—

(aa) license name, image, and likeness rights of student

athletes; or

(bb) make payments earmarked or designated to fund name,

image, or likeness licenses or other payments to student

athletes.

(5) Compensation.—The term “compensation”—

(A) means any payment, remuneration, or benefit provided to

a student athlete or a prospective student athlete; and

(B) does not include—

(i) grants-in-aid;

(ii) Federal Pell Grants provided under section 401 of the

Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a) or any other

Federal or State grants unrelated to and not awarded with

regard to participation in intercollegiate sports;

(iii) health insurance and the costs of health care funded

by an institution, intercollegiate athletic association, or

conference;

(iv) disability and loss-of-value insurance, including

disability and loss-of-value insurance funded by an

institution, intercollegiate athletic association, or

conference;

(v) career counseling, job placement services, or other

guidance available to all students at an institution;

(vi) hourly wages and benefits for work performed outside

of participating in intercollegiate sports at a rate

commensurate with the prevailing rate in the relevant State

or locality for similar work;

(vii) enhanced education benefits, including academic

awards;

(viii) financial literacy or tax education resources; or

(ix) any program to connect student athletes with employers

and facilitate employment opportunities, if—

(I) the financial terms of such employment opportunities

are consistent with the terms offered to similarly situated

employees who are not student athletes; and

(II) such program is not used to induce a student athlete

to attend a particular institution.

(6) Conference.—The term “conference” means any

organization that is not an intercollegiate athletic

association and that—

(A) has 2 or more institutions as members; and

(B) arranges championships for intercollegiate athletic

competitions or sets rules for intercollegiate athletic

competition.

(7) Cost of attendance.—The term “cost of attendance”—

(A) has the meaning given that term in section 472 of the

Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087ll); and

(B) shall be calculated by the financial aid office of an

institution applying the same standards, policies, and

procedures for all students.

(8) Grant-in-aid.—The term “grant-in-aid” means—

(A) a scholarship, grant, stipend, or other form of

financial assistance, including the provision of tuition,

room, board, books, or funds for fees or personal expenses,

that—

(i) is paid or provided by an institution to a student for

the undergraduate or graduate education of the student; and

(ii) is in an amount that does not exceed the cost of

attendance for such student at the institution; and

(B) does not include compensation paid to a student

athlete.

(9) Image.—With respect to a student athlete, the term

“image” means a picture, video, computer-generated

representation, or other depiction that identifies, is linked

to, or is reasonably linked to the student athlete.

(10) Institution.—Except as otherwise explicitly provided,

the term “institution” has the meaning given the term

“institution of higher education” under section 101 of the

Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).

(11) Intercollegiate athletic association.—The term

“intercollegiate athletic association”—

(A) means any organization, not-for-profit corporation,

association, or any other group organized in the United

States that—

(i) sponsors or arranges intercollegiate athletic

competition between institutions;

(ii) sets common rules, standards, procedures, or

guidelines for the administration of intercollegiate athletic

competition;

(iii) is composed of 2 or more institutions or conferences

that are located in different States or participate in

intercollegiate athletic competition in more than 1 State;

and

(iv) is not a conference;

(B) includes—

(i) the National Collegiate Athletic Association; and

(ii) any other national intercollegiate athletic

association; and

group affiliated with professional athletic competition.

(12) Intercollegiate athletic competition.—The term

“intercollegiate athletic competition” means any

intercollegiate sport contest, game, meet, match, tournament,

regatta, or other intercollegiate sport event in which

student athletes or varsity sports teams compete.

(13) Intercollegiate sport.—The term “intercollegiate

sport”—

(A) means a sport played between institutions for which

eligibility requirements for participation by a student

athlete are established by an intercollegiate athletic

association; and

(B) does not include a recreational, intramural, or club

sport.

(14) Likeness.—With respect to a student athlete, the term

“likeness” means a physical or digital depiction or

representation that identifies, is linked to, or is

reasonably linked to the student athlete, including —

(A) the uniquely identifiable body, physical

characteristics, or voice of the student athlete;

(B) any other mark that identifies or distinguishes the

student athlete; or

during the period of athletic participation by the student

athlete at an institution if the jersey number is accompanied

by—

(i) a logo or color scheme that is clearly associated with

the institution; or

(ii) some other means by which the jersey number is

associated with the student athlete.

(15) Name.—With respect to a student athlete, the term

“name” means the first or last name that identifies the

student athlete, a nickname or assumed name of the student

athlete, or a username associated with the student athlete on

any public-facing internet platform when used in a context

that identifies, is linked to, or is reasonably linked to the

student athlete.

(16) Name, image, and likeness agreement.—The term “name,

image, and likeness agreement” means a contract or similar

agreement between a student athlete (or group of student

athletes) and a conference, institution, intercollegiate

athletic association, associated entity, collective, or third

party regarding the commercial use of the name, image, and

likeness rights of the student athlete (or group of student

athletes).

(17) Name, image, and likeness rights.—The term “name,

image, and likeness rights” means the ability of a student

athlete to market and profit from the commercial use of his

or her name, image, or likeness.

(18) Prospective student athlete.—The term “prospective

student athlete” means an individual who is recruited,

actively being recruited, or has been contacted for the

purposes of recruitment to attend an institution as a student

athlete, but has not yet enrolled at the institution.

(19) Revenue share cap.—The term “revenue share cap”

means the Benefits Pool Limit set forth in the Injunctive

Relief Settlement Agreement approved by the court in “In Re

College Athlete NIL Litigation”, No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal.

June 6, 2025), or as modified pursuant to the amendment

provision specified in paragraph 55 of that settlement.

(20) Student athlete.—The term “student athlete” means

an individual who is enrolled as a full-time student at an

institution and who—

(A) makes satisfactory progress towards completing a

degree; and

(B) participates in intercollegiate athletic competition or

competes for a varsity sports team as part of the

institution's educational, developmental, or extracurricular

programs.

(21) Third party.—The term “third party” means an

individual or entity that is not an institution, associated

entity, collective, conference, or intercollegiate athletic

association.

(22) Valid business purpose.—The term “valid business

purpose” means a purpose genuinely related to the promotion

of goods or services provided to the general public for

profit.

(23) Varsity sports team.—The term “varsity sports team”

means a sports team composed of student athletes that is

organized by an institution for the purpose of

intercollegiate athletic competition.

SEC. 101. NAME, IMAGE, AND LIKENESS PROTECTIONS.

(a) Student Athlete Name, Image, and Likeness

Compensation.—

(1) In general.—Except as provided in this title, an

institution, conference, intercollegiate athletic

association, or any representative of such an entity may

not—

(A) restrict the ability of a student athlete, group of

student athletes, or prospective student athlete—

(i) to market or earn compensation for the value of their

name, image, or likeness rights; or

(ii) to enter into a name, image, and likeness agreement;

(B) restrict the eligibility for intercollegiate athletic

competition for a student athlete or prospective student

athlete on the basis of the student athlete or prospective

student athlete entering into a name, image, and likeness

agreement or marketing or earning compensation for the value

of their name, image, or likeness;

or opportunity of a student athlete or prospective student

athlete to apply for or receive a grant-in-aid, including the

amount, duration, or renewal of such grant-in-aid, on the

basis of the student athlete or prospective student athlete

entering into a name, image, and likeness agreement, or

marketing or earning compensation for the value of their

name, image, or likeness; or

(D) unless otherwise required by law, revoke, reduce, or

decline to renew a grant-in-aid for a student athlete or

prospective student athlete based on the student athlete or

prospective student athlete entering into a name, image, and

likeness agreement or marketing or earning compensation for

the value of their name, image, or likeness.

(2) Consent and compensation for group use.—An

institution, conference, intercollegiate athletic

association, collective, third party, or any representative

thereof, may not use the name, image, or likeness of any

group of student athletes to sell or promote any product or

service unless the institution, conference, athletic

association, collective, or third party, as the case may be,

obtains an agreement from each member of the group for that

purpose.

(3) Exceptions.—

(A) Certain agreements.—An institution may restrict the

eligibility for intercollegiate athletic competition of a

student athlete or prospective student athlete who enters

into a name, image, and likeness agreement that violates the

code of student conduct of the institution that applies to

all students enrolled at the institution.

(B) Certain uses.—An institution may restrict the

eligibility for intercollegiate athletic competition of a

student athlete or prospective student athlete if, in

connection with a name, image, and likeness agreement, the

student athlete or prospective student athlete uses a

facility, uniform, equipment, registered or unregistered

trademark, copyright-protected product, or the official logo,

mark, or other indicia of the institution without the express

consent of the institution.

(b) Mandatory Disclosures by Student Athletes.—

(1) In general.—All student athletes shall report to their

institution—

(A) not later than 5 days after entering into a name,

image, and likeness agreement, the terms of any such

agreement that exceeds $600 in value, including multiple

payments, remunerations, or benefits from the same entity

that exceeds a total of $600 over a 12-month period; and

(B) to the extent not reported under subparagraph (A), not

later than 30 days after receiving compensation for the name,

image, or likeness of the student athlete, the amount and

source of any such compensation that exceeds $600, including

multiple payments, remunerations, or benefits from the same

entity that exceeds a total of $600 over a 12-month period.

(2) Mandatory disclosures by recruited athletes.—With

respect to a student athlete or prospective student athlete

who is recruited to attend, but is not yet enrolled in, an

institution, the student athlete or prospective student

athlete shall report to the institution—

(A) the terms of any current or ongoing name, image, and

likeness agreement that exceeds $600 in value, including

multiple payments, remunerations, or benefits from the same

entity that exceeds a total of $600 over a 12-month period;

and

(B) to the extent not reported under subparagraph (A), the

amount and source of any current or ongoing name, image, and

likeness compensation that exceeds $600, including multiple

payments, remunerations, or benefits from the same person

that exceeds a total of $600 over a 12-month period.

(3) Exception.—

(A) In general.—Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply to

either marketing or earning compensation for the value of the

name, image, and likeness rights of a student athlete or to

the compensation within a name, image, and likeness agreement

in which a student athlete receives less than $600, including

multiple payments, remunerations, or benefits from the same

person that totals less than $600 over a 12-month period.

(B) Adjustment for inflation.—The amount described in

clause (i) shall be adjusted for inflation by the percent

increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban

Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the

Department of Labor for the most recent 12-month period for

which applicable data is available.

(4) Release of information.—Except as provided in section

104 or as necessary to comply with this Act, an institution

may not release any information provided by a student athlete

or prospective student athlete in a disclosure under

paragraph (1) or (2) without the express written consent of

the student athlete, prospective student athlete, athlete

agent of the student athlete or prospective student athlete,

or, in case of a minor, the parent or legal guardian of the

minor.

(5) Limitation.—This subsection shall apply only to

student athletes and prospective student athletes of

institutions whose primary membership is in Division I, as

defined by bylaw 20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic

Association, or a successor bylaw.

Institutions.—Subject to the requirements of this title, an

institution, intercollegiate athletic association,

conference, collective, associated entity, or third party,

may pay, provide, or facilitate compensation to a student

athlete for the use of the name, image, or likeness of the

student athlete.

(d) Right to Representation.—An institution,

intercollegiate athletic association, or conference may not

restrict the eligibility for intercollegiate athletic

competition, or any other event or activity relating to

intercollegiate athletic competition, of a prospective

student athlete or student athlete based on the prospective

student athlete or student athlete having obtained an athlete

agent or legal representative.

(e) Educational Resources Regarding This Title.—An

intercollegiate athletic association shall provide student

athletes and prospective student athletes and the parents or

guardians of student athletes or prospective student athletes

with educational materials relating to this title.

SEC. 102. MODIFICATIONS TO SPORTS AGENT RESPONSIBILITY AND

TRUST ACT.

(a) In General.—The Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust

Act (15 U.S.C. 7801 et seq.) is amended—

(1) in section 2 (15 U.S.C. 7801)—

(A) in paragraph (5), by inserting before the period the

following: “and includes any name, image, and likeness

agreement as defined in section 100 of the Protect College

Sports Act of 2026”;

(B) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (9) as

paragraphs (7) through (10), respectively; and

“(6) Intercollegiate athletic association.—The term

`intercollegiate athletic association' has the meaning given

that term in section 100 of Protect College Sports Act of

2026”;

(2) in section 3 (15 U.S.C. 7802)—

(A) in subsection (a)—

(i) in paragraph (2), by striking “or” at the end;

(ii) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end

and inserting a semicolon; and

(iii) by adding at the end the following:

“(4) enter into an agency contract or represent a student

athlete in a manner that violates section 9;

“(5) charge a student athlete a fee in connection with an

endorsement contract that exceeds 5 percent of the value of

the endorsement contract;

“(6) enter into an agency contract with an athlete for a

term that extends beyond the eligibility of the student

athlete to participate in intercollegiate sport;

“(7) make any materially false, deceptive, or fraudulent

representation as an athlete agent, including any materially

false, deceptive, or fraudulent statement to a student

athlete or prospective student athlete that misrepresents the

existence, nature, or value of a name, image, or likeness

opportunity the athlete agent can arrange on behalf of the

student athlete or prospective student athlete through

recruitment or transfer to an institution (as defined in

section 100 of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026); or

“(8) make a materially false, deceptive, or fraudulent

statement in the application for registration as an athlete

agent.”; and

(B) in subsection (b)(3), by striking “Warning to Student

Athlete: If you agree orally or in writing to be represented

by an agent now or in the future you may lose your

eligibility to compete as a student athlete in your sport.”;

(3) by inserting after section 5 (15 U.S.C. 7804) the

following:

“SEC. 5A. PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION.

“(a) In General.—Any current or former student athlete

alleging a violation of paragraphs (4) through (8) of section

3(a), section 9, or section 10 may bring a civil action in an

appropriate district court of the United States or in an

appropriate State court.

“(b) Relief.—In a civil action brought under subsection

(a) in which the plaintiff prevails, the court may award—

“(1) a declaratory judgment that a name, image, or

likeness agreement (as defined in section 100 of the Protect

College Sports Act of 2026) or an agency contract, as

applicable, is null and void; and

“(2) actual damages.

“(c) Attorney's Fees and Costs.—In a civil action brought

under subsection (a) in which the defendant is not an

institution (as defined in section 100 of the Protect College

Sports Act of 2026), the court may, in its discretion, award

reasonable attorney's fees and litigation costs.

“(d) Invalidity of Pre-dispute Arbitration Agreements and

Pre-dispute Joint Action Waivers.—

“(1) In general.—Notwithstanding any other provision of

law, no pre-dispute arbitration agreement or pre-dispute

joint action waiver shall be valid or enforceable against a

student athlete with respect to a dispute arising under this

Act.

“(2) Applicability.—Any determination as to whether or

how paragraph (1) applies to any dispute shall be made by a

court, rather than an arbitrator, without regard to whether

the agreement or waiver that is the subject of the dispute

purports to delegate such determination to an arbitrator.

“(3) Definitions.—In this subsection:

“(A) Pre-dispute arbitration agreement.—The term `pre-

dispute arbitration agreement' means any agreement to

arbitrate a dispute that has not arisen at the time of the

making of the agreement.

“(B) Pre-dispute joint-action waiver.—The term `pre-

dispute joint-action waiver' means an agreement, whether or

not part of a pre-dispute arbitration agreement, that would

prohibit, or waive the right of, one of the parties to the

agreement to participate in a joint, class, or collective

action in a judicial, arbitral, administrative, or other

forum, concerning a dispute that has not yet arisen at the

time of the making of the agreement.”; and

(4) by adding at the end the following:

“SEC. 9. REGISTRATION OF ATHLETE AGENTS AND OTHER

REQUIREMENTS.

“(a) In General.—An athlete agent who seeks to represent

a student athlete in an endorsement contract shall—

“(1) register with a State before representing a student

athlete for an endorsement contract; and

“(2) enter into an agency contract with the student

athlete before providing representation in an endorsement

contract.

“(b) Registration Established.—An individual is deemed to

be registered with a State for purposes of this section if

the individual is—

“(1) a registered professional sports agent with a

professional sports league or players association, in good

standing; or

“(2) registered and certified under the All State Uniform

Agent Acts in the State in which the agent operates, in good

standing.

“(c) Certification to Intercollegiate Athletic

Associations.—

“(1) Requirement.—An athlete agent that represents a

student athlete shall certify to each applicable

intercollegiate athletic association that the athlete agent

is registered with a State.

“(2) Prohibition.—It is unlawful for an individual to

certify to an intercollegiate athletic association that the

individual is an athlete agent if the individual is not

registered with a State.

“(d) Requirements for Agency Contracts.—To be a valid

contract, an agency contract shall—

“(1) state the name of each party to the contract;

“(2) state the term of the contract;

“(3) state the registration information for the athlete

agent; and

“(4) state the fee or commission charged by the athlete

agent.

“SEC. 10. ENDORSEMENT CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS.

“An endorsement contract made in interstate or foreign

commerce is, at the option of the student athlete, void from

the inception of such contract if such contract does not

satisfy the following requirements:

“(1) The contract is in writing.

“(2) The contract plainly states that the student athlete

has the right to obtain or retain an athlete agent or legal

representation with respect to the contract.

“(3) The contract contains—

“(A) a description of services rendered;

“(B) the names of each party to the contract;

“(C) the terms of the contract;

“(D) the amount of compensation to be provided to the

student athlete under the contract;

“(E) a provision specifying the circumstance or event that

would result in the termination of the contract due to

nonperformance of obligations by the student athlete or other

parties to the contract; and

“(F) a provision specifying that the validity and

effectiveness of the contract, and the provision of

compensation to the student athlete under the contract, is

not conditioned upon any express or implicit requirement that

the student athlete enroll or remain enrolled at an

institution or reside in a particular location within the

United States, unless the party making the contract with the

student athlete is an institution, conference, associated

entity, or collective affiliated with the institution and the

contract is entered into after the student athlete has

enrolled at such institution.

“(4) The contract is not for a term that extends beyond

the eligibility of the student athlete to participate in

intercollegiate sports.”.

(b) Clerical Amendments.—The table of contents for the

Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act is amended—

(1) by inserting after the item relating to section 5 the

following:

“Sec. 5A. Private right of action.”; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

“Sec. 9. Registration of athlete agents and other requirements.
“Sec. 10. Endorsement contract requirements.”.

SEC. 103. AGENT REGISTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERCOLLEGIATE

ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONS.

(a) Requirements of Intercollegiate Athletic

Associations.—An intercollegiate athletic association shall

maintain a publicly available website that includes a

searchable database of athlete agents that—

(1) are registered with a State and certified pursuant to

section 9 of the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act,

as added by section 102; and

(2) have certified compliance with all rules and bylaws of

such intercollegiate athletic association, including any

recruitment and tampering rules adopted under section 117.

(b) Decertification Permitted.—

(1) In general.—An intercollegiate athletic association

may decertify or fine an athlete agent for any violations of

section 9 of the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act,

as added by section 102, or any violation of section 117 on

recruitment and tampering.

(2) Effect of decertification.—An athlete agent that is

decertified pursuant to paragraph (1) may not represent or

contact a student athlete or prospective student athlete of

an institution that is a member of such intercollegiate

athletic association.

SEC. 104. DISCLOSURES AND ESTABLISHMENT OF NAME, IMAGE, AND

LIKENESS AGREEMENT DATABASE.

(a) Disclosures by Institutions.—

(1) Disclosure of data on name, image, and likeness

agreements.—Not later than July 1 of the first year

beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act, and

each July 1 thereafter, each institution shall disclose to

the intercollegiate athletic association of which the

institution is a member, in an anonymized manner, the

following data:

(A) With respect to each name, image, and likeness

agreement disclosed to the institution

by a student athlete as required by section 101(b)—

(i) a description of services rendered; and

(ii) the amount of compensation to be provided to the

student athlete or group of athletes under the agreement.

(B) With respect to each name, image, and likeness

agreement entered into between the institution and a student

athlete, disaggregated by intercollegiate sports program—

(i) the number of agreements the institution entered into;

(ii) the average value of the agreements; and

(iii) the total value of the agreements.

(2) Report on revenue and student outcomes.—Not later than

60 days after the date on which an academic year ends, each

institution with 1 or more intercollegiate sports programs

shall submit to the governing athletic association for such

institution a report that includes, for the academic year,

the following:

(A) The amount of revenues and expenditures of each such

sports program, including the amount of associated entity and

third-party donations, Federal funds, and State funds,

including the total amount of remuneration for personnel of

each intercollegiate sports program, individually by program

and in the aggregate.

(B) The average number of hours student athletes spent on

intercollegiate athletic events and intercollegiate athletic

competition, disaggregated by sports program.

disaggregated by sports program.

(3) Treatment of men's and women's programs.—An

institution shall treat men's and women's sports programs as

distinct sports programs for the purposes of disclosure and

reporting obligations under this subsection.

(4) Protection of personally identifiable information.—In

making a disclosure under paragraph (1), an institution shall

ensure that no personally identifiable information of a

student athlete is transmitted to an intercollegiate athletic

association.

(b) Disclosures by Associations and Database.—

(1) In general.—Not later than September of the first year

beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act, each

intercollegiate athletic association shall establish and

maintain a publicly accessible, searchable database for

student athletes and their agents to estimate the fair market

value for name, image, and likeness agreements, which shall

include data collected under subsection (a)(2).

(2) Content of database.—An intercollegiate athletic

association shall include the data reported by institutions

pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a) in the

database described in paragraph (1).

(3) Update of database.—An intercollegiate athletic

association shall update the database described in paragraph

(1) each September 1.

(4) Privacy.—An intercollegiate athletic association shall

take reasonable technical measures to ensure that information

available in the database described in paragraph (1) may not

be used to identify a student athlete.

institutions whose primary membership is in Division I, as

defined by bylaw 20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic

Association, or a successor bylaw, and shall not apply to any

Division II or Division III institution (as so defined) that

participates in a limited number of sports at the Division I

level.

SEC. 105. ACADEMIC PROTECTIONS.

(a) Prohibitions Relating to Coursework and Extracurricular

Activities.—

(1) In general.—An employee or volunteer of an athletic

department of an institution may not—

(A) exert undue pressure over or prevent a student athlete

from selecting a course or an academic major of the student

athlete's choice;

(B) retaliate against a student athlete based on the

student athlete's selection of any course or academic major;

employment or internships, participate in student groups or

events, or serve as a volunteer from doing so, unless such

activity interferes with mandatory class time or mandatory

events related to intercollegiate athletic competition or

membership on a varsity sports team.

(2) Participation in athletic related activities.—In order

to ensure each student athlete makes satisfactory progress

toward the completion of a degree, each intercollegiate

athletic association and any institution that is a member of

such association may limit a student athlete to only

participate in countable athletic-related activities as part

of the educational, developmental, or extracurricular

programs of the institution.

(3) Rule of construction.—Paragraph (1) may not be

construed as preventing an institution, an athletic

department of an institution, or a representative thereof

from—

(A) informing a student athlete of academic eligibility

requirements and mandatory and expected team activities; or

(B) providing other legitimate academic counseling and

support services, in collaboration with the institution, to

help the student athlete pursue the academic interests of and

improve academic outcomes for the student athlete.

(b) Financial Literacy and Life Skills.—An institution

that offers financial literacy and life skills programming

directed to student athletes may not include any marketing,

advertising, referral, or solicitation offers in such

programming.

(1) In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), an

institution that awards a grant-in-aid to a student athlete

may not revoke, reduce, or condition the grant-in-aid of the

student athlete—

(A) based on the athletic ability or performance of the

student athlete or the contribution of the student athlete to

the success of a varsity sports team;

(B) as a result of an injury or illness based on a physical

or mental medical condition of the student athlete; or

(2) Exception.—

(A) In general.—An institution may revoke, reduce, or

condition the grant-in-aid of a student athlete or former

student athlete who—

(i) transfers to another institution; or

(ii) does not remain in good standing in accordance with—

(I) the standards or code of conduct of the institution

applicable to all students;

(II) the established athletics program policies for

participating in mandatory team athletic activities for a

varsity sports team; or

(III) the academic standards for athletic eligibility.

(B) Notice.—An institution shall provide a student athlete

with timely written notice with respect to any possible

revocation or reduction of, or condition on, the grant-in-aid

or athletic eligibility of the student athlete.

reduction of, or condition on, the grant-in-aid of a student

athlete under this paragraph, an institution may reinstate or

remove any condition placed on such grant-in-aid if the

student athlete subsequently cures or satisfies the reasons

provided by the notice in subparagraph (B).

(D) Former student athletes.—

(i) In general.—With respect to a former student athlete

described in clause (ii), an institution shall provide the

former student athlete—

(I) the opportunity to resume study at the institution for

the purpose of completing the requirements necessary to earn

a degree; and

(II) the amount of grant-in-aid the former student athlete

received while previously enrolled at the institution and

participating—

(aa) in intercollegiate athletic competition; or

(bb) as a member of a varsity sports team.

(ii) Former student athlete described.—A former student

athlete described in this subparagraph is a former student

athlete of an institution who—

(I) was enrolled at the institution during their last year

of eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletic

competition during the preceding 10-year period;

(II) received grant-in-aid while enrolled at the

institution;

(III) was not subject to the revocation of grant-in-aid

under subparagraph (A)(ii)(I); and

(IV) has not completed the course of study for an

undergraduate degree.

(E) Rule of construction.—Nothing in this paragraph may be

construed to preclude—

(i) an institution from providing additional grant-in-aid

protections for student athletes or former student athletes;

(ii) an intercollegiate athletic association, conference,

institution, student athlete, or former student athlete from

requesting or advocating for additional grant-in-aid

protections.

(3) Limitation.—Paragraph (2)(D) shall apply only to

institutions that compete in Division I, as defined by bylaw

20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a

successor bylaw.

SEC. 106. MEDICAL COVERAGE REQUIREMENTS.

(a) In General.—Each Division I institution, as defined by

bylaw 20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association,

or a successor bylaw, each institution whose primary

membership is in Division II or Division III (as so defined)

only with respect to student athletes of the institution who

compete in Division I, or an intercollegiate athletic

association or conference comprised of Division I member

institutions shall provide or cause to be provided—

(1) during the participation of a student athlete in an

intercollegiate sport—

(A) all out-of-pocket medical expenses, such as copayments

or deductibles, for the health care coverage of a student

athlete for any injury or disease incurred through

participation in an intercollegiate sport;

(B) the expense for obtaining a medical second opinion

independent of the institution for any injury or disease the

student athlete incurred through participation in an

intercollegiate sport;

disease incurred through participation in an intercollegiate

sport that exceeds $90,000 in medical costs; and

(D) an end-of-college physical examination for a student

athlete for the purpose of documenting and diagnosing any

injury or condition related to the student athlete's

participation in an intercollegiate sport; and

(2) with respect to a student athlete enrolled at the

institution during their last year of eligibility to

participate in intercollegiate athletic competition, for the

5-year period beginning on the day after the last

intercollegiate competition for the student athlete, the cost

of all out-of-pocket medical expenses of the student athlete

for health care coverage for any injury or disease incurred

through participation in an intercollegiate sport.

(b) Intercollegiate Athletic Association Post-eligibility

Insurance and Catastrophic Injury Fund or Program.—

(1) In general.—An intercollegiate athletic association

comprised of member institutions that compete in Division I,

Division II, or Division III, as defined by bylaw 20 of the

National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor

bylaw, on behalf of its member institutions must establish a

fund or program to help cover the cost of—

(A) in the case of a Division I institution that generates

less than $20,000,000 in total annual athletics revenue

during the preceding academic year, compliance with

subsection (a)(2) (or, in

the case of a Division II or Division III institution,

voluntary compliance with subsection (a)(2)), in the event of

demonstrated financial hardship; and

(B) post-eligibility medical expenses for the student

athletes of a member institution who are diagnosed with

significant long-term conditions related to their

participation in an intercollegiate sport, including chronic

traumatic encephalopathy and any other cognitive impairment.

(2) Amount of fund.—

(A) In general.—Subject to increases under subparagraph

(B) and the limitation under subparagraph (C), the

intercollegiate athletic association described in this

subsection shall ensure that the fund or program established

under this subsection is funded at an amount that totals not

less than $60,000,000 on the first day of each academic year.

(B) Subsequent increase.—Subject to the limitation under

subparagraph (C), if the amount funded for the fund or

program established under this subsection is depleted for an

academic year, that amount for the next academic year shall

be increased by $5,000,000 as compared to the amount for the

previous academic year.

established under this subsection shall not exceed

$100,000,000.

(3) Use of collective media rights.—In ensuring that the

fund or program established under paragraph (2) is adequately

funded, an intercollegiate athletic association may use the

collective media rights revenue from a covered entity, in

accordance with section 5(d)(3) of the Sports Broadcasting

Act of 1961, as added by section 203.

construed to preclude an intercollegiate athletic association

from—

(1) providing or causing to be provided to student athletes

medical coverage in addition to the medical coverage required

by subsection (a); or

(2) exceeding $60,000,000 for the fund or program

established in subsection (b) for any academic year.

SEC. 107. HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND SAFETY STANDARDS.

(a) Establishment of Standards.—Not later than 270 days

after the date of the enactment of this Act, each

institution, conference, and intercollegiate athletic

association shall adhere to standards to protect student

athletes from sports-related serious injury, conditions, and

death, including—

(1) brain injury, by adhering to the concussion management

practices, protocols, and legislation of the National

Collegiate Athletic Association effective January 15, 2024,

and as amended to strengthen protections for student

athletes;

(2) heat-related illness, by adhering to the American

College of Sports Medicine Expert Consensus Statement on

Exertional Heat Illness: Recognition, Management, and Return

to Activity (April 2023), and as amended to strengthen

protections for student athletes;

(3) rhabdomyolysis, in accordance with the guidelines of

the National Collegiate Athletic Association for exertional

rhabdomyolysis published in 2025, and as amended to

strengthen protections for student athletes; and

(4) for any student athlete who is identified with—

(A) sickle cell trait, by following the guidelines

published by the National Collegiate Athletic Association in

2025, and as amended to strengthen protections for student

athletes; and

(B) asthma, by following the guidelines of the National

Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Management

of Asthma in Athletes (September 2005), and as amended to

strengthen protections for student athletes.

(b) Measures To Prevent, Assess, and Remediate Abuse or

Misconduct.—Each institution, conference, and

intercollegiate athletic association shall take reasonable

actions to prevent, assess, and remediate—

(1) abuse or hazing of any student athlete, including

physical and sexual abuse; and

(2) sexual assault, sexual misconduct, and sexual

harassment.

Ombudsman.—

(1) Intercollegiate athletic association.—An

intercollegiate athletic association shall provide to student

athletes information on how to contact the Office of the

Student Athlete Ombudsman, as established in section 108, on

the internet website of the association.

(2) Institution.—At the beginning of each academic year,

an institution shall provide to student athletes information

on how to locate the website specified under paragraph (1) or

a link to the website and information on how to contact the

Office of the Student Athlete Ombudsman, as established in

section 108.

(d) Athletic Health and Safety Officers.—

(1) In general.—Each institution shall designate an

employee, who is independent of the athletic department, as

the athletic health and safety officer for the institution.

(2) Reporting.—The athletic health and safety officer

designated under paragraph (1) shall report to an employee of

the institution who is independent of the athletic

department.

(3) Officer responsibilities.—An employee who is

designated by an institution under paragraph (1) as an

athletic health and safety officer shall be responsible for,

at a minimum—

(A) overseeing implementation of the applicable

requirements the institution is subject to under this

section, including any applicable training, oversight

practices, policies, and procedures; and

(B) consulting with student athletes and athletic

department personnel and reporting any suspected violations

of this section to the employee specified under paragraph

(2).

(e) Independence of Medical Professionals.—

(1) In general.—Medical personnel, including athletic

trainers, physical therapists, and physicians, shall have the

autonomous, unchallengeable authority to determine medical

management and return to play decisions for student athletes

under their care at an institution.

(2) Limitation on nonmedical personnel.—No coach or other

nonmedical personnel of an institution may attempt to

influence or disregard the decisions of medical personnel

with respect to the medical management and return to play

decisions for student athletes under their care at the

institution.

(f) Rule of Construction.—Nothing in this section may be

construed to preclude—

(1) an intercollegiate athletic association from

establishing additional health, wellness, and safety

standards to protect student athletes; or

(2) an intercollegiate athletic association, conference,

institution, or student athletes from requesting or

advocating for additional health, wellness, and safety

standards to protect student athletes.

SEC. 108. OFFICE OF THE STUDENT ATHLETE OMBUDSMAN.

(a) In General.—An intercollegiate athletic association

shall establish an office to support student athletes, known

as the “Office of the Student Athlete Ombudsman” (in this

section referred to as the “Office”).

(b) Duties.—The Office shall—

(1) provide independent advice to student athletes at no

cost about the applicable requirements of this title and the

amendments made by this title, including with respect to

their rights and responsibilities and the resources

available;

(2) assist in the resolution of student athlete concerns

regarding the intercollegiate athletic association,

conferences, or institutions;

(3) provide independent advice to student athletes with

respect to the role, responsibility, authority, and

jurisdiction of the intercollegiate athletic association,

conferences, or institutions;

(4) provide student athletes with current contact

information for external third-party resources for student

athletes;

(5) provide independent advice to student athletes with

respect to the relative value of engaging legal counsel;

(6) develop standard language to explain the rights and

responsibilities of student athletes under this Act that

institutions shall be required to conspicuously display in

common areas where student athletes congregate, such as

locker rooms, dormitories, or study areas, to ensure that

student athletes are properly informed of their rights,

responsibilities, and ability to contact the Ombudsman; and

(7) as appropriate, develop curricula to educate student

athletes on their rights and responsibilities under this Act

that is capable of being shared through in person or online

classes, training sessions, or other means.

association shall hire and provide salary, benefits, and

administrative expenses for an Ombudsman and support staff

for the Office.

(d) Confidentiality.—

(1) In general.—The Office shall maintain as confidential

any information communicated or provided to the Office in

confidence in any matter involving the exercise of the

official duties of the Office.

(2) Exception.—The Office may, with the permission of the

parties involved, disclose information described in paragraph

(1) as necessary to resolve or mediate a dispute.

(3) Application.—The confidentiality requirements under

this subsection shall not apply to information—

(A) as necessary to comply with applicable reporting

requirements mandated by Federal law;

(B) relating to a felony personally witnessed by a member

of the Office;

of serious harm; or

(D) with the permission of the parties involved, as

necessary to resolve or mediate a dispute.

(4) Judicial and administrative proceedings.—

(A) In general.—The Ombudsman and any staff of the Office

shall not be compelled to testify or produce evidence in any

judicial or administrative proceeding with respect to any

matter involving the exercise of the duties of the Office.

(B) Confidentiality.—Any memorandum, work product, notes,

or case file of the Office—

(i) shall be confidential; and

(ii) shall not be—

(I) subject to discovery, subpoena, or any other means of

legal compulsion; or

(II) admissible as evidence in a judicial or administrative

proceeding.

(5) Prohibition on retaliation.—No employee, contractor,

agent, volunteer, or member of an intercollegiate athletic

association, a conference, or an institution shall take or

threaten to take any action against a student athlete as a

reprisal for disclosing information to or seeking assistance

from the Office.

(e) Independence in Carrying Out Duties.—The board of

directors or other governing board or committee of an

intercollegiate athletic association, a conference, or an

institution shall not prevent or prohibit the Office from

carrying out any duty or responsibility under this section.

SEC. 109. COMPARABLE STANDARDS FOR ACCESS TO FACILITIES,

SERVICES, AND EVENTS.

Intercollegiate athletic associations and conferences shall

maintain comparable standards for medical care, lodging,

meals, rest, transportation, and, if applicable, athletic

facilities for championship events or tournaments, across

similarly situated men's and women's athletic programs.

SEC. 110. RULES GOVERNING CERTAIN MID-SEASON COACHING

TRANSITIONS.

(a) In General.—An individual who serves, or has served at

any point during a competitive

season, as football athletic personnel for a varsity sports

team for intercollegiate football at an institution shall

not, during that same competitive season, perform for another

institution any duties or responsibilities customarily

associated with a head coach of a varsity sports team for

intercollegiate football, including, at a minimum—

(1) recruiting or contacting prospective or current student

athletes;

(2) directing, participating in, or materially influencing

recruiting strategy or evaluations;

(3) directing, participating in, or materially influencing

roster management decisions, including decisions relating to

transfers;

(4) facilitating, coordinating, negotiating, or otherwise

materially influencing name, image, and likeness activities

involving student athletes;

(5) directing, supervising, or materially influencing

coaching staff or team operations;

(6) participating in practice planning, game preparation,

strategic decision-making, or on-field activities;

(7) publicly representing the institution in an

intercollegiate football-related capacity in a manner that

reflects or implies authority over the intercollegiate

football program; and

(8) undertaking any other activity customarily associated

with a head coach of a varsity sports team for

intercollegiate football.

(b) Application.—Subsection (a) shall apply without regard

to title, formal designation, compensation structure,

employment status, or timing of any public announcement, and

the applicable intercollegiate athletic association may

prohibit any arrangement that, in substance or effect,

provides an individual described in subsection (a) with

authority or responsibilities customarily exercised by a head

coach.

described in subsection (a) who accepts employment,

appointment, or designation as head coach of a varsity sports

team for intercollegiate football at another institution

during the same competitive season is ineligible to

participate in intercollegiate athletic competition for

intercollegiate football as head coach for the hiring

institution through the conclusion of the competitive season,

including any postseason competition, of the prior

institution or the hiring institution, whichever occurs

later.

(d) Penalties for Non-compliance.—In the event an

individual who accepts employment, appointment, or

designation as head coach of a varsity sports team for

intercollegiate football at another institution violates this

section, that individual shall be ineligible to assume the

duties as head coach of the varsity sports team for

intercollegiate football at the hiring institution for the

subsequent competitive season after the season in which the

violation occurred and be subject to additional penalties

sufficient to ensure compliance with this section.

(e) Application.—This section applies only to institutions

that compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision, as defined by

bylaw 20.9.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association,

or a successor bylaw.

(f) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) Applicable intercollegiate athletic association.—The

term “applicable intercollegiate athletic association”

means only an intercollegiate athletic association that has

at least one member institution that is a member of the

Football Bowl Subdivision, as defined by bylaw 20.9.9 of the

National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor

bylaw.

(2) Competitive season.—The term “competitive season”

means the period beginning with the first regularly scheduled

intercollegiate athletic competition for intercollegiate

football for an institution during a season and ending with

the conclusion of the final intercollegiate athletic

competition for intercollegiate football for the institution

during that season.

(3) Football athletic personnel.—The term “football

athletic personnel” means any individual employed by,

contracted with, or otherwise engaged by an institution who

provides coaching, instruction, recruiting, roster

management, or training as the head coach or a coordinator,

including an offensive, defensive, or special teams

coordinator, of student athletes who are members of or

participate with the varsity sports team for intercollegiate

football of the institution.

(4) Intercollegiate football.—The term “intercollegiate

football”—

(A) means football played between institutions for which

eligibility requirements for participation by a student

athlete are established by an intercollegiate athletic

association; and

(B) does not include a recreational, intramural, or club

sport.

SEC. 111. STUDENT ATHLETE REPRESENTATION ON INTERCOLLEGIATE

ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION GOVERNING BOARDS.

(a) In General.—Not less than 1/3 of the membership and

voting power of any board of directors or other governing

board, or committees with authority to establish and enforce

rules or bylaws shall be comprised of current student

athletes or former student athletes who have graduated from

their institution during the preceding 10-year period.

(b) Limitation.—

(1) A former student athlete who is a current or former

employee of an intercollegiate athletic association, a

conference, or a member institution may not count towards the

student athlete membership requirement pursuant to subsection

(a); and

(2) no member of any such board or committee shall vote on

any matter that presents a conflict of interest for such

member.

SEC. 112. TRANSFER PROTECTIONS.

An institution, a conference, an intercollegiate athletic

association, or any representative of such entity shall

permit a student athlete to transfer from one institution to

another institution—

(1) once without losing or delaying eligibility to

participate in intercollegiate sports;

(2) except as provided in paragraph (3), a second time with

a loss of eligibility to participate in intercollegiate

sports during the first academic year following the transfer;

and

(3) additionally, without losing or delaying eligibility to

participate in intercollegiate sports, upon—

(A) discontinuation of a sport in which the student athlete

competes;

(B) the departure of the head coach of the student

athlete's varsity sports team;

an individual associated with the student athlete's

institution; or

(D) the student athlete pursuing a graduate degree.

SEC. 113. ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERCOLLEGIATE

SPORTS.

(a) In General.—An individual is eligible to participate

on a varsity sports team or in intercollegiate athletic

competition if the individual—

(1) is a student athlete;

(2) meets uniform academic standards established by the

relevant intercollegiate athletic association, conference, or

institution;

(3) is not a professional athlete; and

(4) complies with established rules that restrict

eligibility for violations of State or Federal law.

(b) Years of Eligibility.—

(1) In general.—Subject to paragraph (2), a student

athlete is eligible to compete in intercollegiate athletic

competition for a maximum of 5 calendar years beginning on,

whichever occurs first—

(A) the beginning of the academic year following the 19th

birthday of the student athlete; or

(B) the date the student athlete initially enrolls full

time at an institution.

(2) Exceptions.—Paragraph (1) does not apply during a

period of absence for any of the following:

(A) Reasons of pregnancy.

(B) Religious mission.

(D) Other periods of absence adopted by rule or bylaw by an

intercollegiate athletic association that apply uniformly to

all student athletes.

(1) In general.—An intercollegiate athletic association or

a conference may restrict the eligibility of a student

athlete to participate in intercollegiate sports if the

student athlete—

(A) used an illegal or performance enhancing drug; or

(B) participated in sports wagering activities or sports-

related event contracts.

(2) Code of conduct.—An institution may restrict the

eligibility of a student athlete to participate in

intercollegiate sports if the student athlete violated the

code of conduct of the institution that applies to all

students.

(d) Clarification on Prize Money.—For purposes of

subsection (a)(3), a student athlete who competes in a sport

other than football or basketball shall not be considered a

professional athlete based solely on the amount of prize

money the student athlete received based on place finish or

performance in an athletic event before or after enrollment

in an institution, so long as—

(1) the prize money was provided only by the sponsor of the

athletics event; and

(2) the sponsor of the athletics event is not an

institution, employee of an institution, volunteer of an

institution, collective, or an associated entity.

(e) Transfer From 2-year Institution.—No intercollegiate

athletic association or conference shall require a student

athlete who transfers from a 2-year institution to a 4-year

institution to meet additional or more stringent academic

standards than the academic standards required for student

athletes who transfer from a 4-year institution.

(f) Rule of Construction.—Nothing in this section shall be

construed to restrict the ability of an institution to—

(1) require student athletes to meet or maintain academic

standards that are in addition to, or more stringent than,

the standards described in subsection (a) if such standards

are required of all students enrolled at the institution;

(2) discipline or sanction a student athlete for violating

a rule, regulation, or code of conduct that applies to all

students enrolled at the institution; or

(3) discipline or sanction a student athlete for violating

a rule, regulation, or a code of conduct that applies to all

student athletes participating in intercollegiate athletic

competition at that institution.

SEC. 114. PROHIBITED COMPENSATION AND AGREEMENTS.

(a) Certain Agreements and Compensation Prohibited.—An

institution, an employee of an institution, a volunteer of an

institution, a conference, an employee of a conference, or an

associated entity shall not—

(1) except as provided in subsection (b), arrange, provide,

offer, or permit, directly or indirectly, compensation in an

amount that would circumvent or result in the institution

exceeding the revenue share cap to—

(A) a student athlete, a group of student athletes, or

their family members; or

(B) a prospective student athlete, a group of prospective

student athletes, or their family members; or

(2) except for a name, image, and likeness agreement

between a student athlete and an institution or between a

prospective student athlete and an institution, enter into a

name, image, and likeness agreement with a student athlete or

prospective student athlete that is not—

(A) for a valid business purpose; and

(B) commensurate with compensation paid to individuals with

a similar profile, reputation, or

notability who are not student athletes or prospective

student athletes.

(b) Personal Athletic and Education Benefits Permitted.—An

intercollegiate athletic association, a conference, an

institution, or any representative thereof shall not,

pursuant to the Injunctive Relief Settlement Agreement

approved by the court in “In Re College Athlete NIL

Litigation”, No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025),

restrict the ability of a student athlete enrolled at an

institution to receive compensation from an intercollegiate

athletic association, an institution, a conference, or an

associated entity, for personal benefits related to education

or intercollegiate athletics, if those benefits are—

(1) reasonable costs of transportation and temporary

lodging for family members of a student athlete while the

student athlete is experiencing a documented physical or

mental health concern or participating in an intercollegiate

athletic competition;

(2) reasonable costs for meals, shelter, medical coverage,

and medical expenses not provided or covered by the

institution; or

(3) reasonable education-related financial benefits, such

as institution fees, books, or other incidental educational

expenses that are not otherwise provided by the institution.

likeness agreement with an institution, a name, image, and

likeness agreement with a student athlete shall be for a

valid business purpose.

(d) Payments to Coaches and Managers.—

(1) In general.—An institution described in paragraph (2)

may not compensate or otherwise provide or promise any type

of payment or benefit of more than $500,000 to any coach,

assistant coach, general manager, or other person who coaches

or manages a varsity sports team by using, diverting,

budgeting, or otherwise obtaining funds from any source other

than college sports revenue or a donation or contribution to

the athletic department of the institution.

(2) Institution described.—An institution described in

this paragraph is an institution with more than $80,000,000

in total annual athletics revenue during the preceding

academic year.

(e) Institution Defined.—In this section, the term

“institution” means—

(1) an institution of higher education, as that term is

defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965

(20 U.S.C. 1001); and

(2) an institution that is a party to, through membership

in a conference or otherwise, “In Re College Athlete NIL

Litigation”, No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025), or

has opted in to the Injunctive Relief Settlement in that

case.

SEC. 115. EXTENSION OF THE REVENUE SHARE CAP.

(a) In General.—Upon expiration or termination of the

Injunctive Relief Settlement Agreement approved by the court

in “In Re College Athlete NIL Litigation”, No. 20-cv-03919

(N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025), the revenue share cap shall

continue to apply with respect to section 114(a), including

any adjustments specified in subsection (b).

(b) Adjustment of Revenue Share Cap.—Upon expiration of

the Injunctive Relief Settlement Agreement approved by the

court in “In Re College Athlete NIL Litigation”, No. 20-cv-

03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025), the annual revenue share cap

shall be adjusted annually for inflation by the percent

increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All-Urban

Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the

Department of Labor for the most recent 12-month period for

which applicable data is available.

SEC. 116. COMMISSION ON THE FUTURE OF COLLEGE ATHLETICS.

(a) Commission on the Future of College Athletics.—

(1) In general.—There is established within the

legislative branch a commission, to be known as the

“Congressional Commission on the Future of College

Athletics” (referred to in this section as the

“Commission”), for the purpose of providing recommendations

on the future of college athletics.

(2) Purpose.—The purpose of the commission is to provide

recommendations for the future of college athletics.

(b) Membership.—

(1) Composition.—Subject to paragraph (2), the Commission

shall be composed of 24 members, of whom—

(A) 4 members shall be appointed by the chair of the

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, of which

at least 1 member shall be a student athlete or former

student athlete;

(B) 4 members shall be appointed by the ranking member of

the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the

Senate, of which at least 1 member shall be a student athlete

or former student athlete;

Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of

Representatives, of which at least 1 member shall be a

student athlete or former student athlete;

(D) 4 members shall be appointed by the ranking member of

the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of

Representatives, of which at least 1 member shall be a

student athlete or former student athlete;

(E) 1 member shall be a current or former student athlete

appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, in

consultation with the chair of the Committee on Commerce,

Science, and Transportation of the Senate;

(F) 1 member shall be a current or former student athlete

appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, in

consultation with the ranking member of the Committee on

Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate;

(G) 1 member shall be a current or former student athlete

appointed by Speaker of the House of Representatives, in

consultation with the chair of the Committee on Energy and

Commerce of the House of Representatives;

(H) 1 member shall be a current or former student athlete

appointed by the minority leader of the House of

Representatives, in consultation with the ranking member of

the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of

Representatives;

(I) 1 member shall be a representative of a historically

Black college or university, appointed by the majority leader

of the Senate;

(J) 1 member shall be a representative of a historically

Black college or university, appointed by the Speaker of the

House of Representatives;

(K) 1 member shall be a representative of a mid-sized

conference, appointed by the majority leader of the Senate;

and

(L) 1 member shall be a representative of a mid-sized

conference, appointed by the Speaker of the House of

Representatives.

(2) Requirements.—Members of the Commission shall be

individuals who are nationally recognized for expertise,

knowledge, or experience in matters related to college

athletics, university administration, sports law, labor law,

athlete welfare, sports economics, health care, or sports

medicine.

(3) Co-chairs, executive director, and staff.—

(A) Co-chairs.—The Commission shall have 2 co-chairs, of

whom—

(i) 1 co-chair shall be a member selected by the majority

party; and

(ii) 1 co-chair shall be a member selected by the minority

party.

(B) Executive director and staff.—The co-chairs of the

Commission shall appoint an executive director of the

Commission and such staff as appropriate, with compensation.

(4) Historically black college or university defined.—In

this subsection, the term “historically Black college or

university” has the meaning given the term “part B

institution” in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of

1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061).

(5) Mid-sized conference defined.—In this subsection, the

term “mid-sized conference” means any conference that has

generated less than $500,000,000 in total annual revenue

during the preceding academic year.

carrying out the duties of the Commission—

(1) hold such hearings and sit and act at such times and

places, take such testimony, receive such evidence, and

administer such oaths; and

(2) require, by subpoena issued upon a majority vote of the

Commission, the attendance and testimony of such witnesses

and the production of such books, records, correspondence,

memoranda, papers, and documents as the Commission considers

relevant to the purpose of the Commission.

(d) Duties.—The duties of the Commission are as follows:

(1) To study and develop recommendations regarding—

(A) an alternative structure for providing compensation for

student athletes, including consideration of the positive and

negative implications associated with a collective bargaining

structure and employment status for student athletes;

(B) protecting and preserving athletic opportunities for

student athletes, particularly in non-revenue generating,

women's, and Olympic sports intercollegiate athletic

programs;

spending or cost limitations;

(D) whether to eliminate, extend, or change the Pool

Benefits Limit set forth in the Injunctive Relief Settlement

Agreement as approved or amended by the court in “In Re

College Athlete NIL Litigation”, No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal.

June 6, 2025);

(E) compliance with endorsement contract reporting

requirements established by an athletic association or a

conference;

(F) adequacy of health and safety standards established

pursuant to this title and compliance with those standards by

institutions;

(G) the adequacy of the athlete agent provisions of this

title;

(H) the extent to which student athletes experience abuse

or mistreatment and measures that could protect student

athletes from such abuse or mistreatment;

(I) the benefits of the intercollegiate athletic system,

including consideration of how the balance of education and

athletics impacts the life skills, educational opportunities,

leadership skills, character development, and personal growth

of the student athlete; and

(J) any other recommendations regarding intercollegiate

athletics.

(2) To draft a joint resolution of approval under

subsection (i) that provides for implementation of the

recommendation of the Commission on whether to eliminate,

raise, or lower the Pool Benefits Limit in section 114(a).

(3) Not later than 5 years after the date of the enactment

of this Act, to submit a report on the activities of the

Commission, including recommendations for such legislative

action as the Commission considers appropriate to—

(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

of the Senate;

(B) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of

Representatives; and

(e) Quorum.—Twelve members of the Commission, of which 5

members shall be current or former student athletes, shall

constitute a quorum.

(f) Initial Meeting.—The Commission shall hold an initial

meeting not later than 30 days after the date on which a

sufficient number of members have been appointed under

subsection (b) to constitute a quorum pursuant to subsection

(e).

(g) Public Hearings.—The Commission shall hold 1 or more

public hearings.

(h) Status.—The Commission is not an agency (as defined in

section 551 of title 5, United States Code).

(i) Joint Resolution.—Any Member of Congress may introduce

a joint resolution for consideration to adopt any of the

recommendations of the Commission, in whole or in part,

including any recommendations from the Commission on whether

to eliminate, raise, or lower the Pool Benefits Limit.

(j) Termination.—The Commission shall terminate 90 days

after the date on which the Commission submits the report

required by this section.

(k) Authorization of Appropriations.—There is authorized

to be appropriated to the Commission such sums as may be

necessary in any fiscal year, half of which shall be derived

from the applicable account of the House of Representatives

and half of which shall be derived from the contingent fund

of the Senate.

SEC. 117. RECRUITMENT AND TAMPERING.

An intercollegiate athletic association may enforce

provisions on recruitment and tampering of student athletes

or prospective student athletes before and during their

eligibility for intercollegiate athletic competition that—

(1) prohibit an institution, an employee of an institution,

a conference, an employee of a conference, or an associated

entity from contacting a student athlete who is enrolled at

or committed to another institution for the purpose of

recruiting that student athlete to transfer to or enroll at

an institution except for during a reasonable period of time

for each sport that in no case shall be less than 2 weeks or

greater than 5 weeks starting 7 days after the last

intercollegiate athletic competition in an academic year in

the intercollegiate sport in which the student athlete

competes and in which student athletes from the same

intercollegiate athletic association competed;

(2) prohibit an athlete agent from contacting an

institution, employee of an institution, or institution

associated on behalf of a student athlete who is enrolled at

or committed to another institution for the purpose of

facilitating the transfer or enrollment of the student

athlete at the contacted institution except for during a

reasonable period of time for each sport that in no case

shall be less than 2 weeks or greater than 5 weeks starting 7

days after the last intercollegiate athletic competition in

an academic year in the intercollegiate sport in which the

student athlete competes and in which student athletes from

the same intercollegiate athletic association competed;

(3) prohibit an institution, an employee of an institution,

a conference, an employee of a conference, an associated

entity, or an athlete agent from recruiting or contacting a

student athlete or prospective student athlete who has not

affirmatively opted in to receive such recruitment or

contact; or

(4) prohibit an institution, an employee of an institution,

a volunteer of an institution, an associated entity, an

athlete agent, a conference, an employee of a conference, or

a volunteer of a conference from inducing a student athlete

to enroll at an institution or transfer to an institution by

offering compensation to a student athlete in violation of

paragraphs (1), (2), or (3).

SEC. 118. LIMITATION ON LIABILITY.

(a) In General.—It shall not be unlawful under the

antitrust laws for an intercollegiate athletic association, a

conference, or an institution to enforce or comply with,

including through rules or bylaws—

(1) section 114;

(2) section 115;

(3) section 113;

(4) sections 101(a)(3) and 101(b)(1) and subparagraphs (A)

and (B) of section 101(b)(2);

(5) section 117;

(6) section 112;

(7) rules, bylaws, or requirements of an intercollegiate

athletic association that determine whether a specific

institution is selected to participate in a championship or

tournament if the process for selecting participants is not

entitled to antitrust exemption under this subsection;

(8) section 103; and

(9) section 110.

(b) Sanctions by an Intercollegiate Athletic Association.—

It shall not be unlawful under the antitrust laws for an

intercollegiate athletic association or conference to,

including through rules or bylaws—

(1) impose a fine against an institution, an employee, or

volunteer of an institution, a conference, an employee of a

conference, or an associated entity for a violation of

sections 110, 112, 113, 114, 115, or 117;

(2) restrict an institution, employee or volunteer of an

institution, a conference, or an employee of a conference,

from participation in intercollegiate athletic competition,

including championships or tournaments, for a violation of

sections 110, 112, 113, 114, 115, or 117;

(3) restrict the eligibility of a student athlete who—

(A) is not eligible to participate in intercollegiate

athletic competition or participate on a varsity sports team

under section 113;

(B) has transferred to an institution in a manner that does

not comply with section 112; or

114 or section 115; or

(4) decertify an athlete agent for violations of section

103 or the amendments made by section 102.

Association.—An intercollegiate athletic association shall

not be entitled to the antitrust exemptions set forth in

subsections (a) and (b) unless the intercollegiate athletic

association has established rules, bylaws, or other

regulations implementing paragraphs (1) through (9) of

subsection (a) and paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection

(b).

(d) Designation of Entity.—An intercollegiate athletic

association or conference may designate an entity under its

control pursuant to the Injunctive Relief Settlement

Agreement approved by the court in “In Re College Athlete

NIL Litigation”, No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025)

for which it shall not be unlawful to enforce or comply with

section 114.

SEC. 119. PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION.

(a) Violations.—A person may file a civil action in an

appropriate district court of the United States or in an

appropriate State court only for a violation of the

following:

(1) Subsections (a) and (c) of section 101.

(2) Section 104.

(3) Section 105.

(4) Section 106.

(5) Section 107.

(6) Section 108.

(7) Section 109.

(8) Section 111.

(9) Section 112, only to the extent the claim—

(A) alleges an intercollegiate athletic association, a

conference, or an institution has not complied with the

transfer standard set forth in section 112;

(B) is filed against a Division I, Division II, or Division

III institution, as defined by bylaw 20 of the National

Collegiate Athletic Association as of the date of the

enactment of this Act, or an intercollegiate athletic

association or a conference comprised of any such

institutions; and

States.

(10) Section 113, only to the extent the claim—

(A) alleges an intercollegiate athletic association, a

conference, or an institution has not complied with the

eligibility standard set forth in section 113;

(B) is filed against a Division I, Division II, or Division

III institution, as defined by bylaw 20 of the National

Collegiate Athletic Association as of the date of the

enactment of this Act, or an intercollegiate athletic

association or a conference comprised of any such

institutions; and

States.

(11) Section 114(b).

(b) Limitation.—The protection from antitrust liability

set forth in section 118 shall not be limited by a private

right of action filed under subsection (a).

in which the plaintiff prevails, the court may award the

plaintiff—

(1) actual damages; and

(2) any other relief, including equitable relief or

declaratory relief, that the court determines appropriate

(including attorney's fees, if otherwise allowed under

applicable law).

(d) Limitation on Pre-dispute Agreements and Waivers.—

(1) Pre-dispute arbitration agreement.—

(A) In general.—Notwithstanding any other provision of

law, no intercollegiate athletic association, conference, or

institution shall include a pre-dispute arbitration agreement

(as defined in section 401 of title 9, United States Code) in

an agreement with a student athlete regarding a provision of

this title or an amendment made to this title.

(B) Treatment of claim.—If a claim for a violation of this

title arises, a student athlete has the option to arbitrate

the dispute if the intercollegiate athletic association,

conference, or institution agrees to the arbitration.

(2) Pre-dispute joint-action waiver.—Notwithstanding any

other provision of law, no intercollegiate athletic

association or conference shall enforce a pre-dispute joint-

action waiver (as defined in section 401 of title 9, United

States Code) against a student athlete or group of student

athletes with respect to a dispute arising under this title

or an amendment made to this title, so long as there are not

fewer than 7 named plaintiffs.

(e) Disputes Arising From Enforcement of Injunctive Relief

Settlement.—Notwithstanding subsection (d)—

(1) a claim made by any entity or individual subject to the

injunctive relief provisions in “In Re College Athlete NIL

Litigation”, No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025),

regarding whether a name, image, or likeness agreement is for

a valid business purpose shall follow the procedure set forth

in article 6, section 2, of such settlement; and

(2) in any dispute regarding whether an institution, an

employee of an institution, a volunteer of an institution, a

conference, an employee of a conference, or an associated

entity complied with paragraph (1) or (2) of section 114(a),

an institution, an employee of an institution, a volunteer of

an institution, a conference, an employee of a conference, or

an associated entity shall follow the procedure set forth in

article 6, section 2 of “In Re College Athlete NIL

Litigation”, No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025).

(f) Notice Requirement for Civil Actions.—

(1) In general.—A civil action may be brought by a person

under this section only if, prior to filing such action, the

plaintiff provides to the defendant 60 days written notice

identifying the specific provisions set forth in subsection

(a) that the plaintiff alleges have been or are being

violated.

(2) Effect of cure.—In the event a cure is possible, if,

within the 60-day period under paragraph (1), the defendant

cures the violation and provides the plaintiff with an

express written statement that the violation has been cured

and no such further violation shall occur, an action shall

not be permitted.

SEC. 120. WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION.

(a) In General.—No institution, conference, or

intercollegiate athletic association, or any agent thereof,

may discharge, demote, suspend, withdraw or reduce benefits

from, threaten, harass, or in any other manner discriminate

against

an employee, a student athlete, a prospective student

athlete, a former student athlete, a contractor, a

subcontractor, a service provider, or an agent of an

institution, a conference, or an intercollegiate athletic

association because of any lawful act done by such

individual—

(1) to provide information to, or cause information to be

provided to, an agency of the Federal Government, an agency

of State government, Congress, or any law enforcement agency

regarding any act or omission that such individual reasonably

believes to be a violation of this title; or

(2) to file, cause to be filed, testify, participate in, or

otherwise assist in a proceeding filed or about to be filed

relating to an alleged violation of this title.

(b) Enforcement Action.—

(1) In general.—An individual aggrieved by a violation of

subsection (a) may bring an action in the appropriate

district court of the United States for the relief set forth

in paragraph (2).

(2) Relief.—An individual prevailing in any action under

paragraph (1) may obtain—

(A) compensatory damages and the cost of the action,

including reasonable attorney's fees and other litigation

costs reasonably incurred;

(B) in addition to any other relief available at law,

equitable relief that may be necessary or appropriate to

correct a violation of subsection (a) or make the individual

whole again;

(D) if the prevailing individual is an employee—

(i) reinstatement with the same seniority status that the

individual would have had, but for the discrimination; and

(ii) backpay otherwise owed to the individual, with

interest.

shall be construed to diminish the rights, privileges, or

remedies of any individual under any Federal or State law, or

under any labor contract.

(d) Nonenforceability of Certain Provisions Waiving Rights

and Remedies or Requiring Arbitration of Disputes.—

(1) Waiver of rights and remedies.—The rights and remedies

provided for in this section may not be waived by any

agreement, policy form, condition of employment, or athletic

agreement or participation.

(2) Predispute arbitration agreements.—No predispute

arbitration agreement shall be valid or enforceable if the

agreement requires arbitration of a dispute arising under

this section.

SEC. 121. RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING LAW.

(a) In General.—No State or political subdivision of a

State may adopt, maintain, enforce, or continue in effect any

law, regulation, rule, requirement, or standard that—

(1) conflicts with any provision of this title that would

prevent compliance with this title; or

(2) governs, regulates, or invalidates policies or rules of

an institution, a conference, or an intercollegiate athletic

association that regulates—

(A) the compensation to a student athlete or prospective

student athlete for the use of their name, image, or

likeness, except as necessary to comply with this title;

(B) transfers of student athletes between institutions; or

eligibility of a student athlete to participate in

intercollegiate athletics.

(b) Preservation of State Laws.—The following State laws,

rules, regulations, or requirements, or common law rights or

remedies shall not be preempted, displaced, or supplanted:

(1) Except to the extent that such law rule, regulation,

requirement, or common law right or remedy conflicts with

subsection (a), the following:

(A) Uniform Athlete Agent Acts.

(B) Civil rights laws.

(D) Criminal law.

(E) Laws that relate to student or campus safety.

(F) Fraud.

(G) Privacy or data breach.

(H) Contract law.

(I) Trademark law.

(J) Copyright law.

(K) Consumer protection law.

(2) Except to the extent that such law conflicts with

subsection (a)(2), any law, whether statutory or common law,

that gives rise to a cause of action for the following:

(A) Personal injury, including psychological injury.

(B) Wrongful death.

(D) Sexual assault.

(E) Injury.

(F) Harassment.

(G) Any cause of action derivative of any of subparagraphs

(A) through (F).

(1) Antitrust laws.—To the extent liability for violations

of the antitrust laws is not limited by this title,

subsection (a) shall not be construed to preempt, displace,

or supplant the antitrust laws.

(2) Federal trademark and copyright law.—Nothing in this

title or the amendments made by this title may be construed

to override, modify, or amend the applicability of Federal

trademark or copyright law.

SEC. 122. NEUTRALITY ON EMPLOYEE OR NON-EMPLOYEE STATUS.

This title is neutral on, and does nothing to alter,

employee or non-employee status for student athletes.

SEC. 123. APPLICABILITY.

Section 113(c)(1)(B) shall apply with respect to any action

or proceeding that is pending on or commenced on or after the

date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 124. SEVERABILITY.

If any provision of this title, or an amendment made by

this title, is determined to be unenforceable or invalid, the

remaining provisions of this title and the amendments made by

this title shall not be affected.

SEC. 125. PROTECTION OF WOMEN'S SPORTS AND OLYMPIC SPORTS.

(a) In General.—An intercollegiate athletic association or

conference comprised of Division I institutions, as defined

by bylaw 20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic

Association, or a successor bylaw, shall not reduce the

minimum intercollegiate athletic competitions, minimum

participants on a varsity sports team, or the number of

varsity sports teams, including the number of men's and

women's varsity sports teams or Olympic varsity sports teams,

that an institution must sponsor for membership within—

(1) Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic

Association, as defined by bylaw 20.9 of the National

Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw; or

(2) the Football Bowl Subdivision, as defined by bylaw

20.9.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or

successor bylaw.

(b) Large-sized Institutions.—

(1) In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), an

intercollegiate athletic association or conference comprised

of institutions shall provide that each institution shall,

consistent with applicable intercollegiate athletic

association rules, offer and maintain at least as many total

grant-in-aid opportunities and roster spots for non-revenue

generating intercollegiate sports programs, including women's

and Olympic intercollegiate sports programs, during each

academic year as the member institution provided during

academic year 2024-2025.

(2) Waiver.—

(A) In general.—An institution may be granted a waiver

from compliance with paragraph (1) for not more than one

academic year at a time by an intercollegiate athletic

association if the institution provides evidence that—

(i) annual athletics revenues have declined not less than

15 percent based on the average of the preceding three

academic years, and total grant-in-aid accounts for not less

than 45 percent of the total expenses of the athletic

department of the institution;

(ii) compliance with paragraph (1) would materially impair

the ability of the institution to comply with Federal law; or

(iii) there are extraordinary circumstances relating to

financial hardship, including from a natural disaster, act of

war, or another catastrophe, that are beyond the control of

the institution or materially impair the ability of the

institution to comply with paragraph (1).

(B) Condition.—As a condition of seeking a waiver under

subparagraph (A)(i), an institution shall first reduce the

total compensation of the coaching staff of its revenue-

generating varsity sports programs by the same proportion as

any planned reduction in expenditures for its non-revenue

generating intercollegiate sports programs during the waiver

period.

(3) Definitions.—In this subsection:

(A) Institution.—The term “institution” means an

institution, as defined by bylaw 20.9 of the National

Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw, that,

upon the date of the enactment of this Act, reports, as

required under section 485(g) of the Higher Education Act of

1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(g)), having generated not less than

$80,000,000 in total annual athletics revenue during the

preceding academic year.

(B) Non-revenue generating intercollegiate sports

program.—the term “non-revenue generating intercollegiate

sports program” means an intercollegiate sports program at

an institution for which, during an academic year, the

revenues generated specifically attributable to that sports

program are less than the direct and allocated operating

expenses of that sports program.

(4) Sunset.—This subsection shall terminate on the date

that is 9 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

at Mid-sized Institutions.—

(1) In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), an

intercollegiate athletic association or conference comprised

of covered mid-sized institutions shall provide that each

such institution shall, consistent with applicable

intercollegiate athletic association rules, offer and

maintain at least as many total grant-in-aid opportunities

and roster spots for non-revenue generating intercollegiate

sports programs, including women's and Olympic

intercollegiate sports programs, during each academic year as

the institution provided during academic year 2024-2025.

(2) Exemptions.—An institution shall be exempt from the

requirement under paragraph (1) for an academic year if—

(A) the total annual athletics revenue of the institution,

as reported under section 485(g) of the Higher Education Act

of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(g)), declined by not less than 15

percent from the immediately preceding academic year;

(B) the institution petitions the relevant intercollegiate

athletic association for, and is granted, an exemption based

on a demonstrable financial hardship;

the ability of the institution to comply with Federal law; or

(D) there are extraordinary circumstances relating to

financial hardship, including from a natural disaster, act of

war, or other circumstance that is beyond the control of the

institution or materially impair the ability of the

institution to comply with that paragraph.

(3) Covered mid-sized institution defined.—In this

subsection, the term “covered

mid-sized institution” means an institution, as defined by

bylaw 20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association,

or a successor bylaw, that, upon the date of the enactment of

this Act, reports, as required under section 485(g) of the

Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(g)), having

generated not less than $50,000,000 but less than $80,000,000

in total annual athletics revenue during the preceding

academic year.

(4) Sunset.—This subsection shall terminate on the date

that is 4 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(d) Clarification of Walk-on Athlete Eligibility for Para

Athletes.—

(1) In general.—Notwithstanding any provision of this

Act—

(A) an institution and the athletic director of an

institution shall retain full authority to include para

athletes on their roster spots for intercollegiate sports as

walk-on athletes;

(B) subparagraph (A) does not constitute a violation of

roster or scholarship limits for intercollegiate sports

covered under this Act or under “In Re College Athlete NIL

Litigation”, No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025); and

counted toward any roster cap or scholarship count

established for that intercollegiate sport.

(2) Definitions.—In this subsection:

(A) Para athlete.—The term “para athlete” means a

nationally or internationally classified athlete eligible to

compete in the Paralympic Games pursuant to qualifications

determined by the United States Olympic and Paralympic

Committee under chapter 2205 of title 36, United States Code.

(B) Walk-on athlete.—The term “walk-on athlete” means an

enrolled student athlete who participates on a sport roster

without receiving athletics-based scholarship aid.

SEC. 126. MID-SIZED CONFERENCE REPRESENTATION ON

INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION GOVERNING

BOARDS.

(a) In General.—An intercollegiate athletic association,

of which a mid-sized conference is a member, shall ensure any

board of directors or other governing board of the

intercollegiate athletic association, or any committee of the

intercollegiate athletic association with authority to

establish and enforce rules or bylaws, is comprised of

adequate representation by mid-sized conferences.

(b) Mid-sized Conference Defined.—In this section, the

term “mid-sized conference” means any conference that has

generated less than $500,000,000 in total annual revenue

during the preceding academic year.

TITLE II—SPORTS BROADCASTING

SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS.

(a) References to Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.—In this

Act, the term “Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961” means the

Act of September 30, 1961 (15 U.S.C. 1291 et seq.).

(b) Amendments to Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.—The

Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 is amended—

(1) by redesignating sections 5 and 6 (15 U.S.C. 1295, 1291

note) as sections 8 and 9, respectively; and

(2) in section 8, as so redesignated—

(A) by striking “As used in this Act, `persons' means”

and inserting the following: “As used in this Act:”

“(12) Persons.—The term `persons' means”;

(B) by inserting before paragraph (12), as so designated,

the following:

“(1) Collective media rights revenue.—The term

`collective media rights revenue' means revenue derived from

the sale or transfer of the media rights of the member

institutions and member conferences of the covered entity

resulting from the joint agreement described in section 5.

“(2) Conference.—The term `conference' means any

organization that is not an intercollegiate athletic

association and that—

“(A) has 2 or more institutions as members; and

“(B) arranges championships for intercollegiate athletic

competitions or sets rules for intercollegiate athletic

competitions.

“(3) Covered entity.—The term `covered entity' means the

entity formed by a joint agreement of institutions or

conferences described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of section

5(b)(1) that meets each of the requirements under section 5.

“(4) Grant-in-aid.—The term `grant-in-aid'—

“(A) means a scholarship, grant, stipend, or other form of

financial assistance, including the provision of tuition,

room, board, books, or funds for fees or personal expenses,

that—

“(i) is paid or provided by an institution to a student

for the undergraduate or graduate course of study of the

student; and

“(ii) is in an amount that does not exceed the cost of

attendance for the student at the institution; and

“(B) does not include compensation paid to an individual

who is a student athlete or a former student athlete.

“(5) Institution.—The term `institution' has the meaning

given the term `institution of higher education' in section

101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).

“(6) Intercollegiate athletic association.—The term

`intercollegiate athletic association'—

“(A) means any organization, not-for-profit corporation,

association, or other group organized in the United States

that—

“(i) is composed of 2 or more institutions or conferences

that—

“(I) are located in different States; or

“(II) participate in intercollegiate athletic competitions

in more than 1 State;

“(ii) sponsors or arranges intercollegiate athletic

competitions between institutions;

“(iii) sets common rules, standards, procedures, or

guidelines for the administration of intercollegiate athletic

competition; and

“(iv) is not a conference;

“(B) includes—

“(i) the National Collegiate Athletic Association; and

“(ii) any other national intercollegiate athletic

association; and

“(C) does not include a corporation, association, or other

group affiliated with professional athletic competition.

“(7) Intercollegiate athletic competition.—The term

`intercollegiate athletic competition' means any varsity

intercollegiate sport contest, game, meet, match, tournament,

regatta, or other intercollegiate sport event in which

student athletes or varsity sports teams compete.

“(8) Intercollegiate football.—The term `intercollegiate

football' means the intercollegiate sport of football.

“(9) Intercollegiate sport.—The term `intercollegiate

sport'—

“(A) means a sport played at the intercollegiate level,

administered by an athletic department, between institutions

for which eligibility requirements for participation by a

student athlete are established by an intercollegiate

athletic association; and

“(B) does not include a recreational, intramural, or club

sport.

“(10) Member conference.—The term `member conference',

with respect to the covered entity, means a conference that

is a member of the covered entity.

“(11) Member institution.—The term `member institution',

with respect to the covered entity, means an institution that

is a member of the covered entity.”; and

the following:

“(13) Student athlete.—The term `student athlete' means

an individual who—

“(A) is enrolled as a full-time student at an institution;

“(B) makes satisfactory progress towards completing a

degree; and

“(C) participates in intercollegiate athletic competitions

or competes for a varsity sports team as part of the

institution's educational, developmental, or extracurricular

programs.

“(14) Top 5 historic opponents in intercollegiate

football.—The term `top 5 historic opponents in

intercollegiate football', with respect to an institution,

means the 5 other institutions against which the institution

has played the most intercollegiate athletic competitions

within intercollegiate football.

“(15) Top 10 historic opponents in intercollegiate

football.—The term `top 10 historic opponents in

intercollegiate football', with respect to an institution,

means the 10 other institutions against which the institution

has played the most intercollegiate athletic competitions

within intercollegiate football.

“(16) Traditional rivalry.—The term `traditional rivalry'

means an intercollegiate athletic competition within

intercollegiate football that is between varsity sports teams

of 2 institutions that—

“(A) are both members of the covered entity;

“(B) are not members of the same conference; and

“(C) rank among each other's top 10 historic opponents in

intercollegiate football.

“(17) Varsity sports team.—The term `varsity sports team'

means a team composed of student athletes that is organized

by an institution for the purpose of intercollegiate athletic

competitions.”.

SEC. 202. LIMITATION ON LIABILITY FOR TRANSMISSION OF

COLLEGIATE SPORTS COMPETITIONS.

(a) In General.—Section 1 of the Sports Broadcasting Act

of 1961 (15 U.S.C. 1291) is amended—

(1) by striking “That the” and inserting the following:

“SECTION 1. EXEMPTION OF CERTAIN AGREEMENTS FROM ANTITRUST

LAWS.

“(a) Professional Sports.—The”; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

“(b) College Sports.—The antitrust laws, as defined in

subsection (a), shall not apply to any joint agreement, by or

among institutions engaging in or conducting organized

intercollegiate sports, or conferences that have such

institutions as members, to form and operate a covered entity

that complies with and enforces the requirements of section 5

and sells or otherwise transfers to a third party all or any

part of the rights of the institutions or conferences in the

sponsored telecasting of the intercollegiate athletic

competitions engaged in or conducted by the institutions or

conferences.”.

(b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.—The Sports

Broadcasting Act of 1961 is amended—

(1) in section 2 (15 U.S.C. 1292)—

(A) by striking “Section 1” and inserting “Section

1(a)”; and

(B) by striking “in section 1” and inserting “in section

1(a)”;

(2) in section 3 (15 U.S.C. 1293), by striking “section

1” each place it appears and inserting “section 1(a)”; and

(3) in section 4 (15 U.S.C. 1294), by striking “section

1” and inserting “section 1(a)”.

SEC. 203. REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTITIES SELLING MEDIA RIGHTS.

The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, as amended by section

201(b)(1) of this Act, is amended by inserting after section

4 (15 U.S.C. 1294) the following:

“SEC. 5. REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTITIES SELLING MEDIA RIGHTS.

“(a) Condition on Antitrust Exemption.—Section 1(b) shall

not apply to any joint agreement entered into by institutions

or conferences to form the covered entity unless the covered

entity complies with the requirements under this section and

section 6.

“(b) Membership of the Covered Entity.—

“(1) Eligible membership.—A joint agreement to form the

covered entity shall be comprised of a voluntary association

of institutions

or conferences that includes, at a minimum, as of the date on

which the joint agreement is entered into, not less than 75

percent of the institutions participating in the Football

Bowl Subdivision, as defined by Bylaw 20.9.9 of the National

Collegiate Athletic Association.

“(2) Invitation requirement.—

“(A) In general.—The covered entity shall offer

membership on fair and nondiscriminatory terms to each

conference and each institution that is in Division I, as

defined by Bylaw 20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic

Association as of the date of enactment of the Protect

College Sports Act of 2026.

“(B) Optional participation.—No conference or institution

shall be required to join the covered entity or accept an

offer under subparagraph (A), but no conference or

institution eligible for membership under subparagraph (A)

may be refused an invitation to join the covered entity.

“(c) Voting Rights.—

“(1) In general.—

“(A) Votes of conferences and institutions.—Subject to

subparagraph (C), the covered entity shall—

“(i) in the bylaws of the covered entity—

“(I) provide that each member conference or member

institution has 1 vote on each type of decision or

determination described in paragraph (2); and

“(II) specify the minimum number of votes required for

each type of decision or determination described in paragraph

(2); and

“(ii) require the bylaws to be adopted unanimously by the

member conferences and member institutions.

“(B) Votes of student athletes.—The covered entity

shall—

“(i) for purposes of decisions and determinations

described in paragraph (2)(C), designate not fewer than 10

individuals who, as of the date of designation, are student

athletes or were student athletes during the preceding 10-

year period; and

“(ii) ensure that each individual designated under clause

(i) has 1 vote on a decision or determination described in

paragraph (2)(C).

“(C) Non-voting member conferences.—If a conference and 1

or more of the institutions of the conference are members of

the covered entity, the conference shall be a non-voting

member of the covered entity.

“(2) Voting thresholds.—

“(A) Major decisions.—A major decision, as defined by the

bylaws of the covered entity, shall require a vote totaling

not less than \2/3\ of the member conferences or member

institutions exercising their voting rights.

“(B) Non-major decisions.—A non-major decision, as

defined by the bylaws of the covered entity, shall require a

vote totaling not less than a majority of the member

conferences or member institutions exercising their voting

rights.

“(C) Revenue distributions or changes to voting

allocations.—A determination regarding the allocation of

collective media rights revenue or a decision to change a

voting threshold described in this paragraph shall require a

unanimous vote of the member conferences, member

institutions, or current or former student athletes

exercising their voting rights.

“(D) Media rights requirement.—A determination of which

media rights shall be contributed to the covered entity

pursuant to subsection (f) shall require a unanimous vote of

the member conferences or member institutions exercising

their voting rights.

“(d) Revenue Allocation Formula.—

“(1) Method.—Not less frequently than once each academic

year, the covered entity shall distribute the collective

media rights revenue among member conferences and member

institutions—

“(A) according to the allocation of collective media

rights revenue most recently determined in accordance with

subsection (c)(2)(C); and

“(B) in accordance with the requirements of this

subsection.

“(2) Requirements.—The distribution of collective media

rights revenue under paragraph (1) shall—

“(A) ensure that—

“(i) each member conference or member institution receives

a minimum distribution of collective media rights revenue,

the amount of which shall be established under a bylaw

adopted in accordance with subsection (c)(2)(C); and

“(ii) each member institution receives more collective

media rights revenue (excluding revenue from the College

Football Playoff) during each academic year than the largest

amount of collective media rights revenue (excluding revenue

from the College Football Playoff) that the institution

received in any single academic year during the period of

academic year 2021-2022 through academic year 2024-2025;

“(B) distribute not less than 15 percent of the collective

media rights revenue that remains after compliance with

subparagraph (A) equally among all member institutions that

received revenue from intercollegiate athletic competitions

within intercollegiate football in the Football Bowl

Subdivision during academic year 2024-2025; and

“(C) distribute the collective media rights revenue that

remains after compliance with subparagraphs (A) and (B) to

member institutions based on the performance of each

institution during the academic year with respect to the

institution's contribution to the collective media rights

revenue.

“(3) Transfer of revenue.—Before distributing collective

media rights revenue under paragraph (1), the covered entity

shall, in accordance with section 106, transfer an amount of

collective media rights revenue to the fund or program

established under that section to ensure that the program or

fund is adequately funded.

“(e) Protection of Women's and Olympic Sports.—

“(1) In general.—Any member institution that receives

collective media rights revenue shall, consistent with

applicable intercollegiate athletic association rules, offer

and maintain at least as many grant-in-aid opportunities and

roster spots for non-revenue generating intercollegiate

sports programs, including women's and Olympic

intercollegiate sports programs, during each academic year as

the member institution provided during the 2024-2025 academic

year.

“(2) Definition.—For purposes of this subsection, the

term `non-revenue generating intercollegiate sports program'

means an intercollegiate sports program at an institution for

which, during an academic year, the revenues generated

specifically attributable to that sports program are less

than the direct and allocated operating expenses of that

sports program.

“(f) Contribution of Media Rights.—

“(1) Condition of participation.—The covered entity shall

require each member institution or member conference, as a

condition of receiving a distribution of collective media

rights revenue from the covered entity, to contribute to the

covered entity, for sale by the covered entity, the media

rights of the member institution or member conference,

determined by a vote described in subsection (c)(2)(D), with

the exception of the rights in the sponsored telecasting of

the basketball tournaments organized by the National

Collegiate Athletic Association.

“(2) Exclusive authority.—The covered entity shall have

the exclusive authority to negotiate, sell, license,

sublicense, and otherwise transfer on a pooled basis media

rights contributed under paragraph (1), with the exception of

the rights in the sponsored telecasting of the basketball

tournaments organized by the National Collegiate Athletic

Association.

“(3) Binding agreement.—The covered entity shall maintain

a written agreement, binding on all member institutions or

member conferences, that governs the collection and

distribution of collective media rights revenue for the

duration of the agreement.

“(4) Preservation of carriage, distribution, and promotion

of women's and olympic sports.—In any joint agreement

entered into by a covered entity which includes media rights

in football or basketball conveyed pursuant to a vote

described in subsection (c)(2)(D), the covered entity shall

take reasonable efforts to promote and distribute the media

rights for non-revenue generating intercollegiate sports

programs in the regular season and post-season, as well as

preserve the current levels of carriage, distribution, and

promotion.

“(g) Preservation of Conference Opponents and Traditional

Rivalries.—

“(1) Conference opponents.—If, as of the date of

enactment of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026, more

than 6 of the top 10 historic opponents in intercollegiate

football of a member institution were intra-conference

opponents of the member institution in intercollegiate

football during the most recently completed season, the

covered entity shall require the member institution to

preserve, to the maximum extent practicable, intercollegiate

athletic competitions within intercollegiate football amongst

all of its current conference opponents as of that date of

enactment.

“(2) Traditional rivalries.—

“(A) In general.—If, as of the date of enactment of the

Protect College Sports Act of 2026, more than 2 of the top 10

historic opponents in intercollegiate football of a member

institution were out-of-conference opponents of the member

institution in intercollegiate football during the most

recently completed season, the covered entity shall require

the member institution to play intercollegiate athletic

competitions within intercollegiate football that constitute

traditional rivalries, and ensure that—

“(i) the member institution plays not fewer than 2

intercollegiate athletic competitions within intercollegiate

football that constitute a traditional rivalry every 4 years;

and

“(ii) the member institution plays not less than 1

intercollegiate athletic competition within intercollegiate

football each year with an institution that is in a different

conference and is one of the top 5 historic opponents in

intercollegiate football of the member institution.

“(B) Institutions with fewer than 4 out-of-conference

rivals.—If a member institution is subject to the

requirements under subparagraph (A), and fewer than 4 of the

top 10 historic opponents of the member institution in

intercollegiate football are member institutions that belong

to a different conference, the member institution shall seek

to comply with clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A) to

the extent practicable.

“(C) Savings clause.—Nothing in this paragraph shall be

construed to affect the ability of a member institution to

engage in intercollegiate athletic competitions within

intercollegiate football against any other member institution

within the same conference that was 1 of the top 10 historic

opponents in intercollegiate football of the member

institution as of the date of enactment of the Protect

College Sports Act of 2026.

“(3) Periodic review; authority to modify requirements.—8

years after the date of enactment of the Protect College

Sports Act of 2026, and periodically thereafter, but not more

frequently than once every 4 years, the covered entity—

“(A) may review the effects of the requirements under this

subsection on fan interest, student athletes, media revenues,

and preservation of traditional rivalries and historic

opponents; and

“(B) may modify the requirements under this subsection.

“(h) Enforcement of the Act; Right to Cure.—

“(1) Private right of action.—Subject to paragraph (2), a

person aggrieved by a violation of section 1(b), this

section, section 6, or section 7, including a party to a

joint agreement to form the covered entity, may bring a civil

action

against the covered entity in an appropriate district court

of the United States.

“(2) Notice and opportunity to cure.—A person may only

bring a civil action under paragraph (1) for a violation of

section 1(b), this section, section 6, or section 7 if—

“(A) not later than 1 year before bringing the civil

action, the person provides to the defendant specific notice

of the violation and an opportunity to cure the violation;

and

“(B) the defendant does not cure the violation during the

1-year period beginning on the date of the notice described

in subparagraph (A).

“(i) Participation in Covered Entity Optional.—

“(1) In general.—Nothing in this Act shall, under Federal

or State law, establish or be construed to require, mandate,

or encourage any institution or conference to join,

participate in, or transfer any media rights to the covered

entity or to create or give rise to any duty, obligation, or

standard of care to take such action.

“(2) Effect on liability.—Nothing in this Act, any

amendments made by this Act, or a decision by an institution

or conference to decline to join or participate in the

covered entity may be used to support any claim, cause of

action, or theory of liability under Federal or State law

that would impose liability on an institution or conference

or compel an institution or conference to join or participate

in the covered entity.

“(3) No abrogation of existing contracts.—Nothing in this

section shall be construed to abrogate, terminate, or modify

a contract or other legally enforceable agreement in effect

on the date of enactment of the Protect College Sports Act of

2026, or to provide a defense to or immunity from a claim

arising from breach or nonperformance of such contract or

legally enforceable agreement.”.

SEC. 204. MARKET LEVEL BROADCAST ACCESS FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL

AND BASKETBALL.

The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 is amended by inserting

after section 5 (as added by section 203 of this Act) the

following:

“SEC. 6. MARKET-LEVEL BROADCAST ACCESS FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL

AND BASKETBALL.

“(a) Definitions.—In this section:

“(1) Designated market area.—The term `designated market

area' has the meaning given the term in section 122(j)(2)(C)

of title 17, United States Code.

“(2) Local designated market area.—

“(A) In general.—The term `local designated market area'

means an area that—

“(i) consists of a designated market area that includes

the principal campus of an institution that is a member of

the covered entity; and

“(ii) at the election of the member institution and the

applicable network, distributor, or licensee holding market-

level rights, may include not more than 1 additional

geographically adjacent designated market area, or designated

market area within the State in which the principal campus of

the member institution is located, in which a substantial

portion of the student body, alumni, or in-State resident

population of the member institution resides.

“(B) Publication of list.—The Federal Communications

Commission shall—

“(i) not later than 180 days after the date of enactment

of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026, publish a list of

designated market areas described in subparagraph (A); and

“(ii) maintain the list described in clause (i) on a

public website.

“(3) Local outlet option.—The term `Local Outlet option'

means the opportunity for not less than 1 outlet to carry a

live intercollegiate athletic competition without charge to

viewers within the local designated market area of a member

institution that is participating in the competition.

“(b) Requirement of Local Outlet Option.—

“(1) In general.—As a condition of the exemption under

section 1(b)(1), the covered entity shall make commercially

available by purchase or license, on a non-exclusive basis,

for each intercollegiate athletic competition in football or

basketball, not less than 1 Local Outlet option in the local

designated market area of each member institution

participating in the competition.

“(2) Rule of construction.—Nothing in paragraph (1) shall

be construed to require carriage of an intercollegiate

athletic competition by more than 1 Local Outlet in a given

designated market area.

“(3) No effect on national media agreements.—Nothing in

paragraph (1) shall limit the covered entity's ability to

negotiate nationwide or regional media agreements.

“(4) Requirement fulfillment.—A national rights holder

may satisfy the requirement under paragraph (1) by making

intercollegiate athletic competitions available to viewers in

the applicable local designated market areas using an

offering that the rights holder owns or is affiliated with

that is freely available to viewers.

“(c) Good Faith Negotiation.—

“(1) In general.—Each covered entity, and any network,

distributor, or licensee holding market-level rights or

seeking Local Outlet option rights to intercollegiate

athletic competitions described in subsection (b), shall

negotiate in good faith to fulfill the requirement of that

subsection.

“(2) Enforcement.—The Federal Communications Commission

shall have jurisdiction over complaints alleging a violation

of paragraph (1).”.

SEC. 205. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN CONFERENCE MERGERS OR

ACQUISITION.

The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 is amended by inserting

after section 6 (as added by section 204 of this Act) the

following:

“SEC. 7. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN CONFERENCE MERGERS AND

ACQUISITIONS.

“(a) In General.—It shall be unlawful under the antitrust

laws, as defined in section 1(a), for any covered conference

that reported more than $700,000,000 in revenue on its fiscal

year 2025 tax return or any subsequent tax return to merge or

consolidate with, or to acquire the assets, media rights

(including media rights of an institution), or membership of,

another covered conference or of an independent institution,

if as a result of the transaction, the number of institutions

that are members of the covered conference would be less than

75 percent of the institutions participating in the Football

Bowl Subdivision, as defined by Bylaw 20.9.9 of the National

Collegiate Athletic Association.

“(b) Defenses Not Applicable.—A transaction prohibited

under subsection (a) may not be justified by efficiencies,

procompetitive effects, or any other defense under the

antitrust laws, as defined in section 1(a).

“(c) Effect.—Any transaction consummated in violation of

subsection (a) shall be void.

“(d) Definition.—In this section, the term `covered

conference' means a conference, the primary athletic revenue

of which is derived from the sale or transfer of media rights

relating to intercollegiate football.”.

SEC. 206. AMENDMENTS TO INTERCOLLEGIATE AND INTERSCHOLASTIC

FOOTBALL CONTEST LIMITATIONS.

(a) In General.—Section 3 of the Sports Broadcasting Act

of 1961 (15 U.S.C. 1293) is amended—

(1) in paragraph (2), by striking “and” at the end;

(2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and

inserting “, and”; and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

“(4) the season and any postseason, including

championships, of such intercollegiate football contests

conclude not later than January 8 of any year, to the extent

practicable.”.

(b) Protection of Army-Navy Game.—Section 3 of the Sports

Broadcasting Act (15 U.S.C. 1293) is amended—

(1) by inserting “(a)” before “The first sentence”; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

“(b)(1) Section 1(b) shall not apply to any joint

agreement described in that section that permits any person

to sponsor, telecast, or authorize the telecast of any

postseason intercollegiate football contest involving an

institution participating in the Football Bowl Subdivision

during the protected Army-Navy Game broadcast window.

“(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term `protected

Army-Navy Game broadcast window' means the period beginning 1

hour before scheduled kickoff and ending 30 minutes after the

official conclusion of the telecast of the annual football

game between the United States Military Academy and the

United States Naval Academy occurring on the second Saturday

in December in any year.”.

SEC. 207. MEDIA RIGHTS UTILIZATION REQUIREMENT FOR COLLEGE

SPORTS OTHER THAN FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL.

(a) Definitions.—In this section, the terms “covered

entity”, “intercollegiate athletic competition”, “member

conference”, and “member institution” have the meanings

given those terms in section 8 of the Sports Broadcasting

Act, as redesignated by section 201(b)(1) of this Act.

(b) Requirement of Use.—A distributor to which any media

rights for intercollegiate athletic competitions in a sport

other than football or basketball are sold, licensed, or

otherwise conveyed by the covered entity or its member

institutions or member conferences after the date of

enactment of this Act shall affirmatively use those rights by

making the competitions reasonably available to the public

not later than 1 year after the effective date of the

agreement under which the rights are sold, licensed, or

otherwise conveyed.

(1) Failure to use rights; opportunity to cure.—If a

distributor to which media rights for intercollegiate

athletic competitions in a sport other than football or

basketball are sold, licensed, or otherwise conveyed as

described in subsection (b) does not use the rights during

the 1-year period beginning on the effective date of the

agreement under which the rights are sold, licensed, or

otherwise conveyed, the covered entity, member institution,

or member conference notifies the distributor after the

expiration of that 1-year period of the distributor's failure

to use the rights, and the distributor does not use the

rights during the 180-day period beginning on the date of the

notification, the rights for that sport shall revert to the

originating covered entity, member institution, or member

conference.

(2) Reconveyance.—Upon the reversion of rights under

paragraph (1), the covered entity, member institution, or

member conference may resell, relicense, or otherwise

reconvey the rights to another entity without penalty or

liability for breach of the original agreement described in

that paragraph.

(d) Savings.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to

modify the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, as amended by

this title.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.

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