Sponsors (12)
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Amends the definitions in Section 2 of the National Labor Relations Act to (a) treat certain individuals who participate in intercollegiate sports and receive direct compensation as employees and (b) add definitions for 'grant-in-aid', 'institution of higher education' (by reference to HEA sec. 102), 'intercollegiate athletic conference' (excluding the NCAA), and 'college athlete employee'.
Amends subsection (b) of Section 9 by striking the period at the end and inserting additional text.
Modifies subsection (c)(1) (Section 14(c)(1)) of the NLRA by striking and inserting new text related to jurisdiction; the amendment is presented in the legislative section under the heading 'Jurisdiction related to intercollegiate sports.'
This bill would let college athletes form unions and negotiate as a group with their schools and athletic conferences about pay, health and safety, schedules, and other conditions. It updates federal labor law so these rights apply at both private and public colleges, and it allows athletes to organize across schools within a league or conference. Schools or the NCAA could not force athletes to sign away these rights in scholarships or other agreements.
It also says nothing in the bill changes how scholarships or other direct payments are treated for taxes or federal financial aid. In short, it doesn’t turn scholarships into taxable wages or affect eligibility for aid like Pell Grants.
Key points
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Introduced July 23, 2025 by Summer Lee · Last progress July 23, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Introduced in House