(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.

(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);

(C)

an individual or entity that directly or indirectly (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).

(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—

(B)

does not include—

(A)

means any payment, remuneration, or benefit provided to a student athlete or a prospective student athlete; and

(B)

does not include—

(A)

has 2 or more institutions as members; and

(B)

arranges championships for intercollegiate athletic competitions or sets rules for intercollegiate athletic competition.

(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.

(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—

(B)

does not include compensation paid to a student athlete.

(A)

means any organization, not-for-profit corporation, association, or any other group organized in the United States that—

(B)

includes—

(C)

does not include a corporation, association, or other group affiliated with professional athletic competition.

(A)

means a sport played between institutions for which eligibility requirements for participation by a student athlete are established by an interstate intercollegiate athletic association; and

(B)

does not include a recreational, intramural, or club sport.

(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

(C)

the jersey number associated with the student athlete during the period of athletic participation by the student athlete at an institution if the jersey number is accompanied by—

(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.

(1) In general

Except as provided in this title, an institution, conference, intercollegiate athletic association, or any representative of such an entity may not—

(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

(1) In general

All student athletes shall report to their institution—

(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—

(3) Exception

(4) Release of information

Except as provided in section 104, 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 Division I institutions as defined by bylaw 20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw, and student athletes or prospective student athletes of such institutions.

(1)

in section 2 (15 U.S.C. 7801)—

(2)

in section 3 (15 U.S.C. 7802)—

(3)

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

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 to the prevailing party.

(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:

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.

10. Endorsement contract requirements

(a) Requirements for endorsement contracts

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, if such contract is between a student athlete and an institution, intercollegiate athletic association, conference, associated entity, or collective.

(1)

by inserting after the item relating to section 5 the following:

and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

(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.

(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.

(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:

(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:

(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.

(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.

(2) Content of database

An intercollegiate athletic association shall include the data reported by institutions pursuant to subsection (a)(1) 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.

(5) Limitation

This section applies only to institutions that compete in Division 1 as defined by bylaw 20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw.

(1) In general

An employee or volunteer of an athletic department of an institution may not—

(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—

(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—

(2) Exception

(3) Limitation

Subsection (c)(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.

(1)

during the participation of a student athlete in an intercollegiate sport—

(2)

for the 5-year period beginning on the date 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.

(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—

(2) Amount of fund

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 at least $60,000,000 on the first day of each academic year.

(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.

(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.

(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—

(1)

abuse or hazing of any student athlete, including physical and sexual abuse; and

(2)

sexual assault, sexual misconduct, and sexual harassment.

(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.

(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—

(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.

(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.

(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; and

(5)

provide independent advice to student athletes with respect to the relative value of engaging legal counsel.

(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—

(4) Judicial and administrative proceedings

(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.

(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.

(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—

(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.

(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;

(C)

sexual assault or harassment of the student athlete by an individual associated with the student athlete’s varsity sports team; or

(D)

the student athlete pursuing a graduate degree.

(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.

(1) In general

Subject to paragraph (2), the student athlete is eligible to compete in intercollegiate athletic competition for a maximum of 5 calendar years beginning at the start of the regular academic year immediately following, whichever occurs first—

(2) Exceptions

Paragraph (1) does not apply during a period of absence for any of the following:

(1) In general

An intercollegiate athletic association or a conference may restrict a student athlete’s eligibility to participate in intercollegiate sports if the student athlete—

(2) Code of conduct

An institution may restrict a student athlete’s eligibility to participate in intercollegiate sports if the student athlete violated the institution’s code of conduct that applies to all students.

(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.

(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.

(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—

(2)

enter into a name, image, and likeness agreement with a student athlete or prospective student athlete that is not—

(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; and

(3)

reasonable education-related financial benefits, such as institution fees, books, or other incidental educational expenses that are not otherwise provided by the institution.

(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 Legislation, No. 20–cv–03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025), or has opted in to the Injunctive Relief Settlement in that case.

(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.

(1) Composition

Subject to paragraph (2), the Commission shall be composed of 20 members, of whom—

(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

(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.

(1)

To study and develop recommendations regarding—

(2)

To draft a joint resolution of approval under subsection (i) that provides for implementation of the Commission’s recommendation 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—

(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.

(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, or 115;

(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, or 115;

(3)

restrict the eligibility of a student athlete who—

(4)

decertify an athlete agent for violations of section 103 or the amendments made by section 102.

(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—

(10)

Section 113, only to the extent the claim—

(11)

Section 114(b).

(1) In general

In a civil action brought under subsection (a) in which the plaintiff prevails, the court may award the plaintiff—

(2) Attorney’s fees and costs

In a civil action brought under subsection (a), the court may, in its discretion, award reasonable attorney’s fees and litigation costs to the prevailing party.

(1) Pre-dispute arbitration agreement

(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.

(1)

a claim made by any entity or individual subject to the injunctive relief provisions in In Re College Athlete NIL Legislation, 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 Legislation, No. 20–cv–03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025).

(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.

(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.

(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—

(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.

(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—

(1)

Uniform Athlete Agent Acts.

(2)

Civil rights laws.

(3)

Tort law.

(4)

Criminal law.

(5)

Any law, whether statutory or common law, that gives rise to a cause of action for personal injury, wrongful death, property damage, sexual assault, injury, or harassment, or other financial, physical, reputational, or psychological injury based in negligence, strict liability, products liability, or failure to warn.

(6)

Laws that relate to student or campus safety.

(7)

Fraud.

(8)

Privacy or data breach.

(9)

Contract law.

(10)

Trademark law.

(11)

Copyright law.

(12)

Consumer protection law.

(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.

(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—

(1)

by striking That the and inserting the following:

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.

(1)

in section 2 (15 U.S.C. 1292)—

(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).

(A)

by striking second Friday in September and inserting first Friday in September; and

(B)

by striking second Saturday in December and inserting third Saturday in December;

(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.

(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.

(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);

(C)

an individual or entity that directly or indirectly (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).

(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—

(B)

does not include—

(A)

means any payment, remuneration, or benefit provided to a student athlete or a prospective student athlete; and

(B)

does not include—

(A)

has 2 or more institutions as members; and

(B)

arranges championships for intercollegiate athletic competitions or sets rules for intercollegiate athletic competition.

(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.

(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—

(B)

does not include compensation paid to a student athlete.

(A)

means any organization, not-for-profit corporation, association, or any other group organized in the United States that—

(B)

includes—

(C)

does not include a corporation, association, or other group affiliated with professional athletic competition.

(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.

(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

(C)

the jersey number associated with the student athlete during the period of athletic participation by the student athlete at an institution if the jersey number is accompanied by—

(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.

(1) In general

Except as provided in this title, an institution, conference, intercollegiate athletic association, or any representative of such an entity may not—

(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

(1) In general

All student athletes shall report to their institution—

(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—

(3) Exception

(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.

(1)

in section 2 (15 U.S.C. 7801)—

(2)

in section 3 (15 U.S.C. 7802)—

(3)

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

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:

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.

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.

(1)

by inserting after the item relating to section 5 the following:

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

(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.

(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.

(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:

(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:

(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.

(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.

(1) In general

An employee or volunteer of an athletic department of an institution may not—

(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—

(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—

(2) Exception

(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.

(1)

during the participation of a student athlete in an intercollegiate sport—

(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.

(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—

(2) Amount of fund

(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.

(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.

(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—

(1)

abuse or hazing of any student athlete, including physical and sexual abuse; and

(2)

sexual assault, sexual misconduct, and sexual harassment.

(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.

(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—

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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—

(4) Judicial and administrative proceedings

(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.

(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.

(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—

(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.

(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;

(C)

sexual assault or harassment of the student athlete by an individual associated with the student athlete’s institution; or

(D)

the student athlete pursuing a graduate degree.

(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.

(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—

(2) Exceptions

Paragraph (1) does not apply during a period of absence for any of the following:

(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—

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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—

(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—

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(1) Composition

Subject to paragraph (2), the Commission shall be composed of 24 members, of whom—

(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

(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.

(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.

(1)

To study and develop recommendations regarding—

(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—

(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.

(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—

(4)

decertify an athlete agent for violations of section 103 or the amendments made by section 102.

(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—

(10)

Section 113, only to the extent the claim—

(11)

Section 114(b).

(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).

(1) Pre-dispute arbitration agreement

(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.

(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).

(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.

(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.

(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—

(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.

(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—

(1)

Except to the extent that such law rule, regulation, requirement, or common law right or remedy conflicts with subsection (a), the following:

(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:

(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.

(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.

(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

(3) Definitions

In this subsection:

(4) Sunset

This subsection shall terminate on the date that is 9 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(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—

(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.

(1) In general

Notwithstanding any provision of this Act—

(2) Definitions

In this subsection:

(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—

(1)

by striking That the and inserting the following:

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.

(1)

in section 2 (15 U.S.C. 1292)—

(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).

(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.

(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.

(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.