Protecting Student Athletes’ Economic Freedom Act of 2025

This bill says that student athletes—including former ones—cannot be treated as employees of their college, their athletic conference, or a sports association just because they play on varsity teams, compete in varsity events, or follow team rules, even if another federal or state law might suggest otherwise.

• Who is affected: student athletes and former student athletes; colleges and universities that sponsor varsity sports; athletic conferences; and sports associations that oversee college athletics.
• What changes: playing in varsity intercollegiate athletics or meeting team requirements cannot be used to claim employee status under any federal or state law or regulation.
• Key terms: the bill defines “institution,” “conference,” “association,” “student athlete,” “varsity intercollegiate athletics program,” and “varsity intercollegiate athletics competition” to clarify who and what is covered.