Text of Senate Amendment 6776

Quick facts

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

Readable version of the official text

SA 6776. Mr. THUNE (for Mr. Cruz) proposed an amendment to the 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; as follows:

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the

following:

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. Congressional approval of continuation of revenue share cap

and retention fund. 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.
Sec. 127. Title IX savings clause.
Sec. 128. Protecting opportunities for American student athletes.

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 III—HBCU SPORTS MEDIA AND CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM

Sec. 301. Short title. Sec. 302. Grants for improvement of broadband, technology, media, and

sports broadcast infrastructure of HBCUs.
Sec. 303. Grant uses.
Sec. 304. Coordination.
Sec. 305. Reports and evaluation.
Sec. 306. Definitions.
Sec. 307. Authorization of appropriations.

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—

(A) is known, or was known, or should have been known to

the athletics department staff of an institution to exist, in

significant part, for the purpose of—

(i) promoting or supporting a particular institution's

intercollegiate athletics program or student athletes; or

(ii) creating or identifying name, image, and likeness

opportunities solely for a particular institution's student

athletes;

(B) is or was a member, employee, director, officer, owner,

or agent of an individual or entity described in subparagraph

(A);

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) has—

(i) been directed or requested by an institution's athletic

department staff to assist in the recruitment or retention of

student athletes or prospective student athletes; or

(ii) otherwise assisted in the recruitment or retention of

student athletes or prospective student athletes; or

(E) is owned, controlled, or operated by, or otherwise

affiliated with the individuals or entities described in

subparagraphs (A) through (D), other than a publicly traded

corporation.

(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.—

(A) In general.—The term “student athlete” means an

individual who is enrolled as a full-time student (as defined

in section 668.2 of title 34, Code of Federal Regulations (as

in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this

Act)) at an institution and who—

(i) makes satisfactory academic progress (as determined in

accordance with section 668.34 of such title 34 (as in effect

on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act))

toward completing a degree; and

(ii) participates in intercollegiate athletic competition

or competes for a varsity sports team as part of the

institution's educational, developmental, or extracurricular

programs.

(B) Rule of construction.—Nothing in subparagraph (A)(i)

shall be construed to preclude an institution, conference, or

intercollegiate athletic association from establishing

satisfactory academic progress standards that are more

stringent than the requirements described in subparagraph

(A)(i), if such standards are required of all student

athletes, or in the case of an institution, of all full-time

students.

(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 and their intercollegiate athletic association,

or to an entity designated by their intercollegiate athletic

association and under the control of that intercollegiate

athletic association 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)—

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

image, and likeness agreement, the terms of any such

agreement, including the amount and source, 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 at which the student

athlete enrolls and their intercollegiate athletic

association, or to an entity designated by that

intercollegiate athletic association and under the control of

that intercollegiate athletic association 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)—

(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

subparagraph (A) 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 that would identify 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 (1), by striking “an oral or written

agreement” and inserting “a written agreement”;

(B) 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”;

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

(D) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:

“(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, and any other compensation provided or to be

provided by an institution to a student athlete—

(i) the amount of compensation provided or to be provided

to the student athlete by the institution; and

(ii) disaggregated by intercollegiate sports program—

(I) the number of agreements and payments;

(II) the average value of the agreements and payments; and

(III) the total value of the agreements and payments.

(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) either—

(aa) 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; or

(bb) in the case of grant-in-aid previously awarded solely

on the basis of demonstrated financial need, grant-in-aid

awarded based on the current demonstrated financial need of

the former student athlete.

(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—

(1) an intercollegiate athletic association, conference, or

institution from providing or causing to be provided to

student athletes medical coverage in addition to the medical

coverage required by subsection (a); or

(2) an intercollegiate athletic association from 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, conference,

institution, or State from establishing additional health,

wellness, and safety standards to protect student athletes,

including additional sexual assault, sexual misconduct, and

sexual harassment standards in addition to those specified in

subsection (b); 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.

(g) Intercollegiate Athletic Association Oversight.—An

intercollegiate athletic association shall take reasonable

actions to ensure that its member institutions comply with

this section.

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, publicity and promotion, 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 four-year

institution to another four-year 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 Division I or Division II (as defined by bylaw 20 of the

National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor

bylaw) varsity sports team or in intercollegiate athletic

competition for a Division I or Division II institution (as

defined by bylaw 20 of the National Collegiate Athletic

Association, or a successor bylaw) 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 Division I or Division II institution (as

defined by bylaw 20 of the National Collegiate Athletic

Association, or a successor bylaw) 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, which may include serious

athletic injury or medical condition, 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 Youth Activities and Prize Money.—For

purposes of subsection (a)(3)—

(1) a student athlete who competes in basketball shall not

be considered a professional athlete based on their

participation in athletic competitions prior to, whichever

occurs first—

(A) the 19th birthday of the student athlete; or

(B) the date the student athlete initially enrolls full

time at an institution; and

(2) 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—

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

athletics event; and

(B) 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.—

(1) Prohibition.—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—

(A) except as provided in paragraph (2) and 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—

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

their family members; or

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

student athletes, or their family members;

(B) 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—

(i) for a valid business purpose; and

(ii) commensurate with compensation paid by third parties

to individuals with a similar profile, reputation, or

notability who are not student athletes or prospective

student athletes at the institution; or

student athlete prior to enrollment in an institution, but

nothing in this subparagraph shall prohibit an institution

from providing compensation to attend a development camp or

program if that camp or program is open to non-prospective

student athletes and such compensation does not exceed the

reasonable costs of attendance.

(2) Retention fund.—

(A) Retention fund exception.—Except as provided in

subparagraph (B), an institution may exceed the revenue share

cap by not more than $22,500,000 per academic year for the

purpose of retaining a student athlete or group of student

athletes who have spent at least one full competitive season

at the institution.

(B) Non-revenue generating intercollegiate sports

programs.—

(i) In general.—An institution may further exceed the

revenue share cap for the purpose described in subparagraph

(A) by up to an additional $5,000,000 per academic year in

proportion to the amount of name, image, and likeness

compensation provided by the institution through the revenue

share cap described in subsection (a)(1) and the retention

fund amount described in subparagraph (A) to a student

athlete or group of student athletes competing in non-revenue

generating intercollegiate sports programs, including women's

and Olympic intercollegiate sports programs.

(ii) Clarification.—Nothing in clause (i) shall be

interpreted to preclude an institution from providing name,

image, and likeness compensation through the revenue share

cap described in subsection (a)(1) and the retention fund

amount described in subparagraph (A) in excess of $5,000,000

to a student athlete or group of student athletes competing

in non-revenue generating intercollegiate sports programs,

including women's and Olympic intercollegiate sports

programs, provided such compensation complies with

subparagraph (A) and subsection (a)(1).

subparagraph (A) shall apply only during the nine-year period

beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.

(D) Academic success limitation.—An institution shall not

be eligible for the exception described in subparagraph (A)

if the institution fails to meet uniform benchmarks

established by the relevant intercollegiate athletic

association or conference related to graduation rates and the

academic progress of its student athletes participating in a

varsity sports program.

(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.

and Vendors.—In the case of a name, image, and likeness

agreement involving, or brokered by, a multimedia rights

holder, or a sponsor of the institution in which the student

athlete is enrolled or plans to enroll that has a commercial

relationship with the institution, an apparel company that

has a commercial relationship with the institution, or a

vendor for the athletic department or athletic facilities

that has a commercial relationship with the institution—

(1) the multimedia rights holder shall provide a signed

certification to the intercollegiate athletic association or

its designated enforcement entity affirming that the

institution in which the student athlete is enrolled or plans

to enroll is not the originating source of the compensation

to be paid to the student athlete or prospective student

athlete and that payment of the compensation is not coming

directly or indirectly from the institution;

(2) the third party or the sponsor, apparel company, or

vendor benefitting from the name, image, and likeness of the

student athlete or prospective student athlete shall provide

a signed certification to the intercollegiate athletic

association or its designated enforcement entity affirming

that it is the originating source of the compensation to be

paid to the student athlete, that it did not receive funds,

directly or indirectly, from the institution in which the

student athlete is enrolled or plans to enroll for the

purpose of financing the agreement, that the institution did

not forgo funds due from the third party or the sponsor,

apparel company, or vendor for the purpose of financing the

agreement, and that the institution did not negotiate for and

determine the amount of compensation to be paid to the

student athlete or prospective student athlete through the

agreement; and

(3) the institution at which the student athlete is

enrolled or plans to enroll, if required by the

intercollegiate athletic association or its designated

enforcement entity, shall provide a signed certification to

the intercollegiate athletic association or its designated

enforcement entity that the institution is not circumventing

the revenue share cap through the name, image, and likeness

agreement, or negotiating for and determining the amount of

compensation to be paid to the student athlete or prospective

student athlete through the agreement.

(d) Valid Business Purpose.—Except for a name, image, and

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

likeness agreement with a student athlete shall be for a

valid business purpose.

(e) 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.

(f) 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. CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL OF CONTINUATION OF REVENUE

SHARE CAP AND RETENTION FUND.

(a) Continuation Upon Congressional Approval.—

(1) Cessation absent approval.—Except as provided in

paragraph (2), if the covered settlement agreement expires or

terminates but no joint resolution of approval relating to

the notice of the expiration or termination is enacted into

law during the applicable congressional approval period, the

provisions of section 114 relating to the revenue share cap,

and, notwithstanding section 114(a)(2)(C), the retention

fund, shall—

(A) in the case of an expiration—

(i) cease to have force or effect on the date of such

expiration, if the applicable congressional approval period

ends before that date; or

(ii) if the applicable congressional approval period ends

after the date of such expiration, at the end of the

applicable congressional approval period; or

(B) in the case of a termination, remain in effect without

interruption notwithstanding such termination until, and

cease to have force or effect at, the end of the applicable

congressional approval period.

(2) Continuation upon approval.—If a joint resolution of

approval relating to the notice of the expiration or

termination is enacted into law, the provisions of section

114 relating to the revenue share cap and, only if specified

in the joint resolution of approval, the retention fund, in

effect immediately before such expiration or termination or

at the time the notice is provided to Congress pursuant to

subsection (b), subject to paragraph (3), shall continue in

effect without interruption beginning on the date of such

expiration or termination.

(3) Recalculation of revenue share cap dollar amount.—In

the first 2 years following a continuation under paragraph

(2), the revenue share cap shall increase by 4 percent each

year over the previous year's amount. In the third year

following a continuation under paragraph (2), and every 3

years thereafter, the revenue share cap shall be recalculated

based on 22 percent of the Average Shared Revenue based on

the most recent Membership Financial Reporting System Reports

available, or, if the covered settlement agreement is

modified, pursuant to the amendment provision specified in

paragraph 55 of that settlement, pursuant to the calculation

process in effect immediately before the expiration or

termination of the covered settlement agreement or at the

time the notice is provided to Congress pursuant to

subsection (b). In each of the 2 years following each such

recalculation, the revenue share cap shall increase by 4

percent each year over the previous year's amount. For

purposes of this paragraph, all information used to calculate

the revenue share cap pursuant to the covered settlement

agreement, or as modified pursuant to the amendment provision

specified in paragraph 55 of that settlement, shall be

subject to a publicly available, independent third-party

audit to verify the accuracy of such information for purposes

of complying with this subsection.

(b) Notice to Congress.—

(1) Scheduled expiration.—Not later than 180 calendar days

before the date on which the covered settlement agreement is

scheduled to expire, the defendant parties, or in the case of

disagreement, a majority of defendant parties, to the covered

settlement agreement shall transmit to the President pro

tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of

Representatives a written notice of the scheduled expiration.

If the scheduled expiration date is established less than 180

calendar days before that date, any defendant party to the

covered settlement agreement shall transmit the notice not

later than 1 calendar day after the scheduled expiration date

is established.

(2) Early termination.—Not later than 1 calendar day after

the date on which the defendant parties to the covered

settlement become aware of a court order that provides for

the termination of the covered settlement agreement before

its scheduled expiration, any defendant party to the covered

settlement agreement shall transmit to the President pro

tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of

Representatives a written notice of the termination.

(3) Contents.—A notice under this subsection shall

include—

(A) the scheduled, expected, or actual date of the

expiration or termination, if known, and the basis for the

expiration or termination; and

(B) the dollar amounts and material terms of the revenue

share cap in effect, or expected to be in effect, immediately

before the expiration or termination.

(4) Date of receipt.—Congress receives a notice under this

subsection on the date on which both the President pro

tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of

Representatives receive the notice. In the event a notice is

not provided to Congress under this subsection, notice shall

be deemed to have been received by Congress not later than 3

calendar days after the date of the expiration or termination

of the covered settlement agreement.

(5) Deemed receipt.—Notwithstanding paragraph (4), for

purposes of this section, a notice required under this

subsection received after the expiration or termination of

the covered settlement agreement shall be deemed to have been

received by Congress on the date on which covered settlement

agreement expired or terminated.

(1) Applicable congressional approval period.—With respect

to a notice under subsection (b), the term “applicable

congressional approval period” means the 30-calendar-day

period beginning on the date on which Congress receives the

notice, except that the congressional approval period shall

immediately terminate upon the passage a of a joint

resolution of approval by the Senate and the House of

Representatives.

(2) Joint resolution of approval.—For purposes of this

section, the term “joint resolution of approval” means only

any joint resolution—

(A) that is introduced not later than 10 calendar days

after the date on which Congress receives the notice under

subsection (b) to which the joint resolution relates;

(B) that does not have a preamble;

(i) “Joint resolution approving the continuation of the

revenue share cap and retention fund under the Protect

College Sports Act of 2026”; or

(ii) “Joint resolution approving the continuation of the

revenue share cap under the Protect College Sports Act of

2026”; and

(D) the sole matter after the resolving clause of which is

either of the following:

(i) for a joint resolution with a title described in

subparagraph (C)(i): “That Congress approves, under section

115 of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026, the

continuation, after the expiration or termination described

in the notice received by Congress on

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