WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a landmark step toward reforming collegiate athletics, Rep. Janelle Bynum (D-Ore.) and House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) have introduced the College Student-athlete Protections and Opportunities through Rights, Transparency, and Safety (College SPORTS) Act. The bipartisan legislation aims to establish a single national standard governing name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights, while providing stronger protections for college athletes in academics, health care, and financial transparency.
The College SPORTS Act marks the most comprehensive federal NIL proposal to date. Its introduction follows years of fragmented state legislation and NCAA rule changes, leaving schools, athletes, and sponsors operating in an inconsistent regulatory environment.
The bill would guarantee college athletes the right to earn compensation for their NIL without fear of penalties from their schools or athletic associations. It also reinforces support for academic achievement, post-injury medical care, and informed career development.
“For too long, college athletes have generated enormous value for their schools and athletic programs without being allowed to share in the success they help create,” said Chairwoman McClain. “We’re protecting the values that make college athletics great while modernizing the system to reflect today’s reality. This bill preserves the student-athlete model while offering real protections, real opportunity, and real fairness.”
The legislation proposes several sweeping changes:
NIL Protections: Codifies student-athletes’ right to earn money from their name, image, and likeness and prohibits retaliation or disqualification due to NIL activity.
Academic Continuity: Allows athletes to return to school and complete their degrees within 10 years, even if they leave early for professional opportunities.
Life Skills Education: Requires colleges participating in Division I sports to provide training in mental health, sexual violence prevention, nutrition, career preparation, and NIL literacy.
Medical Support: Mandates that colleges cover the cost of sports-related medical treatment for at least two years following a student-athlete’s departure from the institution.
Scholarship Protections: Prevents schools from canceling or adjusting scholarships due to injury, performance, or team restructuring.
Agent Regulation: Requires agents to register and comply with disclosure standards to safeguard athletes from predatory practices.
Employment Status Clarification: Affirms that student-athletes are not employees of their institutions, preserving the nonprofessional framework of college sports.
Federal Preemption: Creates a national policy to override state-level NIL laws, ensuring consistency across all institutions and athletic programs.
The bill’s authors say it reflects a balanced approach that modernizes college athletics without dismantling the current model. It would allow athletes to benefit from the industry’s growing financial landscape while preserving their academic and developmental goals.
Bynum and McClain developed the legislation in response to mounting concerns over the uneven implementation of NIL rules, disparities in athlete treatment, and a lack of standardized support systems across collegiate programs.
The bill is expected to draw bipartisan interest and could receive committee hearings later this year.
“As the mom of a D1 athlete, I’ve seen firsthand how important—and how long overdue—it was to allow our student-athletes to earn their fair share,” said Rep. Bynum. “I’m proud to be leading first-of-its-kind legislation alongside Chairwoman McClain to guarantee that all student-athletes can earn fair compensation, access a complete and quality education, get care for sports-related injuries, and develop the skills they need to succeed after college.”
