H.R. 9137

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9137 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9137

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.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 4, 2026

Mr. Baumgartner introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on 
Energy and Commerce, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be 
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 
of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

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.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

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. Extension of the revenue share cap.
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.
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 acquisitions.
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 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 
is--
(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).
(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
(C) does not include a corporation, association, or 
other 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 interstate 
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
(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--
(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.--The term ``student athlete'' means 
an individual who is enrolled as a full-time student at an 
institution and who--
(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.
(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;
(C) unless otherwise required by law, limit the 
eligibility 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--
(A) not later than 30 days after entering into a 
name, image, and likeness agreement, the terms of any 
such 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), 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--
(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.--An intercollegiate 
athletic association shall adjust the amount described 
in subparagraph (A) 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, 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.
(c) Name, Image, or Likeness Compensation by 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 (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'';
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (9) as 
paragraphs (7) through (10), respectively; and
(C) 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 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:

``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.

``(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.''.
(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, disaggregated by intercollegiate 
sports program--
(i) the number of agreements the 
institution entered into;
(ii) the average value of the agreements; 
and
(iii) the total value of the agreements.
(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.
(C) The academic outcomes and majors for student 
athletes, 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.
(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.

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; or
(C) prevent a student athlete who seeks to secure 
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.
(c) Scholarship Protections.--
(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
(C) roster management decisions.
(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.
(C) Reinstatement.--In the case of a revocation or 
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) 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.
(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.
(iii) Application.--This subparagraph 
applies only to institutions that compete in 
Division I, as defined by bylaw 20.9 of the 
National Collegiate Athletic Association, or 
successor bylaw.
(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; or
(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.--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.

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, 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;
(C) catastrophic injury medical insurance for any 
injury or 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) 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.
(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 a member 
institution's student athletes 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.--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.
(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed 
to preclude an intercollegiate athletic association from--
(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.

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.
(c) Provision of Information on Contact for Student Athlete 
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 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.

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; and
(5) provide independent advice to student athletes with 
respect to the relative value of engaging legal counsel.
(c) Administration.--An interstate intercollegiate athletic 
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;
(C) if necessary to protect an individual at 
imminent risk 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, 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.
(c) Determination of Ineligibility.--An individual 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 institution to another 
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;
(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.

SEC. 113. ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERCOLLEGIATE SPORTS.

(a) In General.--An individual is eligible to participate on a 
varsity sports team or in intercollegiate athletic competition 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), 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--
(A) the student athlete's 19th birthday;
(B) the student athlete's actual high school 
graduation date;
(C) the student athlete's expected high school 
graduation date based on the first year of high school 
enrollment; or
(D) the date a student athlete 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.
(C) Active-duty military service.
(D) Other periods of absence adopted by rule or 
bylaw by an intercollegiate athletic association that 
apply uniformly to all student athletes.
(c) Restrictions on Eligibility.--
(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--
(A) used an illegal or performance enhancing drug; 
or
(B) participated in sports wagering activities.
(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.
(d) Clarification on Prize Money.--For purposes of subsection 
(a)(3), 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--
(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.
(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.--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--
(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--
(A) a student athlete, a group of student athletes, 
or their family members; or
(B) a prospective student athlete, a group of 
prospective student athletes, or their family members; 
or
(2) enter into a name, image, and likeness agreement with a 
student athlete or prospective student athlete that is not--
(A) for a valid business purpose; and
(B) commensurate with compensation paid to 
individuals with a similar profile, reputation, or 
notability who are not student athletes or prospective 
student athletes.
(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, provided 
they 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; 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.
(c) Valid Business Purpose.--A name, image, and likeness agreement 
with a student athlete shall be for a valid business purpose.
(d) 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. EXTENSION OF THE REVENUE SHARE CAP.

(a) In General.--Upon expiration or termination of 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), the 
revenue share cap shall continue to apply with respect to section 
114(a), including any adjustments specified in subsection (b).
(b) Adjustment of Revenue Share Cap.--Upon expiration of 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), the annual revenue share cap shall be adjusted annually 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.

SEC. 116. COMMISSION ON THE FUTURE OF COLLEGE ATHLETICS.

(a) Commission on the Future of College Athletics.--
(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.
(b) Membership.--
(1) Composition.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Commission 
shall be composed of 20 members, of whom--
(A) 4 members shall be appointed by the chair of 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, 
of which at least 1 member shall be a student athlete 
or former student athlete;
(B) 4 members shall be appointed by the ranking 
member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate, of which at least 1 
member shall be a student athlete or former student 
athlete;
(C) 4 members shall be appointed by the chair of 
the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
Representatives, of which at least 1 member shall be a 
student athlete or former student athlete;
(D) 4 members shall be appointed by the ranking 
member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 
House of Representatives, of which at least 1 member 
shall be a student athlete or former student athlete;
(E) 1 current or former student athlete appointed 
by the majority leader of the Senate, in consultation 
with the chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate;
(F) 1 current or former student athlete appointed 
by the minority leader of the Senate, in consultation 
with the ranking member of the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate;
(G) 1 current or former student athlete appointed 
by Speaker of the House of Representatives, in 
consultation with the chair of the Committee on Energy 
and Commerce of the House of Representatives; and
(H) 1 current or former student athlete appointed 
by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, 
in consultation with the ranking member of the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
Representatives.
(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.--
(A) Co-chairs.--The Commission shall have 2 co-
chairs, of whom--
(i) 1 co-chair shall be a member selected 
by the majority party; and
(ii) 1 co-chair shall be a member selected 
by the minority party.
(B) Executive director and staff.--The co-chairs of 
the Commission shall appoint an executive director of 
the Commission, and such staff as appropriate, with 
compensation.
(c) Authority.--The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out 
the duties of the Commission--
(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.
(d) Duties.--The duties of the Commission are as follows:
(1) To study and develop recommendations regarding--
(A) an alternative structure for providing 
compensation for student athletes, including 
consideration of the positive and negative implications 
associated with a collective bargaining structure and 
employment status for student athletes;
(B) protecting and preserving athletic 
opportunities for student athletes, particularly in 
non-revenue generating, women's, and Olympic sports 
intercollegiate athletic programs;
(C) whether any intercollegiate sport should be 
subject to spending or cost limitations;
(D) whether to eliminate, extend, or change the 
Pool Benefits Limit set forth in the Injunctive Relief 
Settlement Agreement as approved or amended by the 
court in ``In Re College Athlete NIL Litigation'', No. 
20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025);
(E) compliance with endorsement contract reporting 
requirements established by an athletic association or 
a conference;
(F) adequacy of health and safety standards 
established pursuant to this title and compliance with 
those standards by institutions;
(G) the adequacy of the athlete agent provisions of 
this title;
(H) the extent to which student athletes experience 
abuse or mistreatment and measures that could protect 
student athletes from such abuse or mistreatment;
(I) the benefits of the intercollegiate athletic 
system, including consideration of how the balance of 
education and athletics impacts the life skills, 
educational opportunities, leadership skills, character 
development, and personal growth of the student 
athlete; and
(J) any other recommendations regarding 
intercollegiate athletics.
(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--
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 
House of Representatives; and
(C) the President.
(e) Quorum.--Ten members of the Commission, of which 3 members 
shall be current or former student athletes, shall constitute a quorum.
(f) Initial Meeting.--The Commission shall hold an initial meeting 
not later than 30 days after the date on which a sufficient number of 
members have been appointed under subsection (b) to constitute a quorum 
pursuant to subsection (e).
(g) Public Hearings.--The Commission shall hold 1 or more public 
hearings.
(h) Status.--The Commission is not an agency (as defined in section 
551 of title 5, United States Code).
(i) Joint Resolution.--Any Member of Congress may introduce a joint 
resolution for consideration to adopt any of the recommendations of the 
Commission, in whole or in part, including any recommendations from the 
Commission on whether to eliminate, raise, or lower the Pool Benefits 
Limit.
(j) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate 90 days after the 
date on which the Commission submits the report required by this 
section.
(k) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Commission such sums as may be necessary in any 
fiscal year, half of which shall be derived from the applicable account 
of the House of Representatives and half of which shall be derived from 
the contingent fund of the Senate.

SEC. 117. RECRUITMENT AND TAMPERING.

An intercollegiate athletic association may enforce provisions on 
recruitment and tampering of student athletes or prospective student 
athletes before and during their eligibility for intercollegiate 
athletic competition that--
(1) prohibit an institution, an employee of an institution, 
a conference, an employee of a conference, or an associated 
entity from contacting a student athlete who is enrolled at or 
committed to another institution for the purpose of recruiting 
them to transfer to or enroll at an institution except for 
during the 5 consecutive weeks starting 7 days after the last 
intercollegiate athletic competition in an academic year in the 
intercollegiate sport in which the student athlete competes and 
in which student athletes from the same intercollegiate 
athletic association competed;
(2) prohibit an athlete agent from contacting an 
institution, employee of an institution, or institution 
associated on behalf of a student athlete who is enrolled at or 
committed to another institution for the purpose of 
facilitating the transfer or enrollment of the student athlete 
at the contacted institution except for during the 5 
consecutive weeks starting 7 days after the last 
intercollegiate athletic competition in an academic year in the 
intercollegiate sport in which the student athlete competes and 
in which student athletes from the same intercollegiate 
athletic association competed;
(3) prohibit an institution, an employee of an institution, 
a conference, an employee of a conference, an associated 
entity, or an athlete agent from recruiting or contacting a 
student athlete or prospective student athlete who has not 
affirmatively opted in to receive such recruitment or contact; 
or
(4) prohibit an institution, an employee of an institution, 
a volunteer of an institution, an associated entity, an athlete 
agent, a conference, an employee of a conference, or a 
volunteer of a conference from inducing a student athlete to 
enroll at an institution or transfer to an institution by 
offering compensation to a student athlete in violation of 
paragraphs (1), (2), or (3).

SEC. 118. LIMITATION ON LIABILITY.

(a) In General.--It shall not be unlawful under the antitrust laws 
for an intercollegiate athletic association, a conference, or an 
institution to enforce or comply with, including through rules or 
bylaws--
(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.
(b) Sanctions by an Intercollegiate Athletic Association.--It shall 
not be unlawful under the antitrust laws for an intercollegiate 
athletic association to, including through rules or bylaws--
(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--
(A) is not eligible to participate in 
intercollegiate athletic competition or participate on 
a varsity sports team under section 113;
(B) has transferred to an institution in a manner 
that does not comply with section 112; or
(C) has received compensation in contravention of 
section 114 or section 115; or
(4) decertify an athlete agent for violations of section 
103 or the amendments made by section 102.
(c) Requirements for an Intercollegiate Athletic Association.--An 
intercollegiate athletic association shall not be entitled to the 
antitrust exemptions set forth in subsections (a) and (b) unless the 
intercollegiate athletic association has established rules, bylaws, or 
other regulations implementing paragraphs (1) through (9) of subsection 
(a) and paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (b).

SEC. 119. PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION.

(a) Violations.--A person may file a civil action in an appropriate 
district court of the United States or in an appropriate State court 
only for a violation of the following:
(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--
(A) alleges an intercollegiate athletic 
association, a conference, or an institution has not 
complied with the transfer standard set forth in 
section 112;
(B) is filed against a Division I, Division II, or 
Division III institution, as defined by bylaw 20 of the 
National Collegiate Athletic Association as of the date 
of the enactment of this Act, or an intercollegiate 
athletic association or a conference comprised of any 
such institutions; and
(C) is filed in an appropriate district court of 
the United States.
(10) Section 113, only to the extent the claim--
(A) alleges an intercollegiate athletic 
association, a conference, or an institution has not 
complied with the eligibility standard set forth in 
section 113;
(B) is filed against a Division I, Division II, or 
Division III institution, as defined by bylaw 20 of the 
National Collegiate Athletic Association as of the date 
of the enactment of this Act, or an intercollegiate 
athletic association or a conference comprised of any 
such institutions; and
(C) is filed in an appropriate district court of 
the United States.
(11) Section 114(b).
(b) Limitation.--The protection from antitrust liability set forth 
in section 118 shall not be limited by a private right of action filed 
under subsection (a).
(c) Relief.--
(1) In general.--In a civil action brought under subsection 
(a) in which the plaintiff prevails, the court may award the 
plaintiff--
(A) actual damages; and
(B) any other relief, including equitable relief or 
declaratory relief, that the court determines 
appropriate.
(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.
(d) Limitation on Pre-dispute Agreements and Waivers.--
(1) Pre-dispute arbitration agreement.--
(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, no intercollegiate athletic 
association, conference, or institution shall include a 
pre-dispute arbitration agreement (as defined in 
section 401 of title 9, United States Code) in an 
agreement with a student athlete regarding a provision 
of this title or an amendment made by this title.
(B) Treatment of claim.--If a claim for a violation 
of this title arises, a student athlete has the option 
to arbitrate the dispute if the intercollegiate 
athletic association, conference, or institution agrees 
to the arbitration.
(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.
(e) Disputes Arising From Enforcement of Injunctive Relief 
Settlement.--Notwithstanding subsection (d)--
(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).
(f) Notice Requirement for Civil Actions.--
(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.

SEC. 120. WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION.

(a) In General.--No institution, conference, or intercollegiate 
athletic association, or any agent thereof, may discharge, demote, 
suspend, withdraw or reduce benefits from, threaten, harass, or in any 
other manner discriminate against an employee, a student athlete, a 
prospective student athlete, a former student athlete, a contractor, a 
subcontractor, a service provider, or an agent of an institution, a 
conference, or an intercollegiate athletic association because of any 
lawful act done by such individual--
(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.
(b) Enforcement Action.--
(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--
(A) compensatory damages and the cost of the 
action, including reasonable attorney's fees and other 
litigation costs reasonably incurred;
(B) in addition to any other relief available at 
law, equitable relief that may be necessary or 
appropriate to correct a violation of subsection (a) or 
make the individual whole again;
(C) temporary relief while the case is pending; and
(D) if the prevailing individual is an employee--
(i) reinstatement with the same seniority 
status that the individual would have had, but 
for the discrimination; and
(ii) backpay otherwise owed to the 
individual, with interest.
(c) Rights Retained by Individual.--Nothing in this section shall 
be construed to diminish the rights, privileges, or remedies of any 
individual under any Federal or State law, or under any labor contract.
(d) Nonenforceability of Certain Provisions Waiving Rights and 
Remedies or Requiring Arbitration of Disputes.--
(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.

SEC. 121. RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING LAW.

(a) In General.--No State or political subdivision of a State may 
adopt, maintain, enforce, or continue in effect any law, regulation, 
rule, requirement, or standard that--
(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--
(A) the compensation to a student athlete or 
prospective student athlete for the use of their name, 
image, or likeness, except as necessary to comply with 
this title;
(B) transfers of student athletes between 
institutions; or
(C) the eligibility of a student athlete to 
participate in intercollegiate athletics.
(b) Preservation of State Laws.--The following State laws, rules, 
regulations, or requirements, or common law rights or remedies shall 
not be preempted, displaced, or supplanted except to the extent that 
such law rule, regulation, requirement, or common law right or remedy 
conflicts with subsection (a):
(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.
(c) Rules of Construction.--
(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.

SEC. 122. NEUTRALITY ON EMPLOYEE OR NON-EMPLOYEE STATUS.

This title is neutral on, and does nothing to alter, employee or 
non-employee status for student athletes.

SEC. 123. APPLICABILITY.

This title, and the amendments made by this title, shall apply with 
respect to any action or proceeding that is pending on or commenced on 
or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 124. SEVERABILITY.

If any provision of this title, or an amendment made by this title, 
is determined to be unenforceable or invalid, the remaining provisions 
of this title and the amendments made by this title shall not be 
affected.

TITLE II--SPORTS BROADCASTING

SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS.

(a) References to Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.--In this Act, 
the term ``Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961'' means the Act of September 
30, 1961 (15 U.S.C. 1291 et seq.).
(b) Amendments to Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.--The Sports 
Broadcasting Act of 1961 is amended--
(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--
(A) by striking ``As used in this Act, `persons' 
means'' and inserting the following: ``As used in this 
Act:''
``(12) Persons.--The term `persons' means'';
(B) by inserting before paragraph (12), as so 
designated, the following:
``(1) Collective media rights revenue.--The term 
`collective media rights revenue' means revenue derived from 
the sale or transfer of the media rights of the member 
institutions and member conferences of the covered entity 
resulting from the joint agreement described in section 5.
``(2) 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 competitions.
``(3) Covered entity.--The term `covered entity' means the 
entity formed by a joint agreement of institutions or 
conferences described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 
5(b)(1) that meets each of the requirements under section 5.
``(4) Grant-in-aid.--The term `grant-in-aid'--
``(A) means 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 
course of study of the student; and
``(ii) is in an amount that does not exceed 
the cost of attendance for the student at the 
institution; and
``(B) does not include compensation paid to an 
individual who is a student athlete or a former student 
athlete.
``(5) Institution.--The term `institution' has the meaning 
given the term `institution of higher education' in section 101 
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).
``(6) Intercollegiate athletic association.--The term 
`intercollegiate athletic association'--
``(A) means any organization, not-for-profit 
corporation, association, or other group organized in 
the United States that--
``(i) is composed of 2 or more institutions 
or conferences that--
``(I) are located in different 
States; or
``(II) participate in 
intercollegiate athletic competitions 
in more than 1 State;
``(ii) sponsors or arranges intercollegiate 
athletic competitions between institutions;
``(iii) sets common rules, standards, 
procedures, or guidelines for the 
administration of intercollegiate athletic 
competition; and
``(iv) is not a conference;
``(B) includes--
``(i) the National Collegiate Athletic 
Association; and
``(ii) any other national intercollegiate 
athletic association; and
``(C) does not include a corporation, association, 
or other group affiliated with professional athletic 
competition.
``(7) Intercollegiate athletic competition.--The term 
`intercollegiate athletic competition' means any varsity 
intercollegiate sport contest, game, meet, match, tournament, 
regatta, or other intercollegiate sport event in which student 
athletes or varsity sports teams compete.
``(8) Intercollegiate football.--The term `intercollegiate 
football' means the intercollegiate sport of football.
``(9) Intercollegiate sport.--The term `intercollegiate 
sport'--
``(A) means a sport played at the intercollegiate 
level, administered by an athletic department, 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.
``(10) Member conference.--The term `member conference', 
with respect to the covered entity, means a conference that is 
a member of the covered entity.
``(11) Member institution.--The term `member institution', 
with respect to the covered entity, means an institution that 
is a member of the covered entity.''; and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (12), as so 
redesignated, the following:
``(13) Student athlete.--The term `student athlete' means 
an individual who--
``(A) is enrolled as a full-time student at an 
institution;
``(B) makes satisfactory progress towards 
completing a degree; and
``(C) participates in intercollegiate athletic 
competitions or competes for a varsity sports team as 
part of the institution's educational, developmental, 
or extracurricular programs.
``(14) Top 5 historic opponents in intercollegiate 
football.--The term `top 5 historic opponents in 
intercollegiate football', with respect to an institution, 
means the 5 other institutions against which the institution 
has played the most intercollegiate athletic competitions 
within intercollegiate football.
``(15) Top 10 historic opponents in intercollegiate 
football.--The term `top 10 historic opponents in 
intercollegiate football', with respect to an institution, 
means the 10 other institutions against which the institution 
has played the most intercollegiate athletic competitions 
within intercollegiate football.
``(16) Traditional rivalry.--The term `traditional rivalry' 
means an intercollegiate athletic competition within 
intercollegiate football that is between varsity sports teams 
of 2 institutions that--
``(A) are both members of the covered entity;
``(B) are not members of the same conference; and
``(C) rank among each other's top 10 historic 
opponents in intercollegiate football.
``(17) Varsity sports team.--The term `varsity sports team' 
means a team composed of student athletes that is organized by 
an institution for the purpose of intercollegiate athletic 
competitions.''.

SEC. 202. LIMITATION ON LIABILITY FOR TRANSMISSION OF COLLEGIATE SPORTS 
COMPETITIONS.

(a) In General.--Section 1 of the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 
(15 U.S.C. 1291) is amended--
(1) by striking ``That the'' and inserting the following:

``SEC. 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.''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--The Sports Broadcasting 
Act of 1961 is amended--
(1) in section 2 (15 U.S.C. 1292)--
(A) by striking ``Section 1'' and inserting 
``Section 1(a)''; and
(B) by striking ``in section 1'' and inserting ``in 
section 1(a)'';
(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)''.

SEC. 203. REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTITIES SELLING MEDIA RIGHTS.

The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, as amended by section 
201(b)(1) of this Act, is amended by inserting after section 4 (15 
U.S.C. 1294) the following:

``SEC. 5. REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTITIES SELLING MEDIA RIGHTS.

``(a) Condition on Antitrust Exemption.--Section 1(b) shall not 
apply to any joint agreement entered into by institutions or 
conferences to form the covered entity unless the covered entity 
complies with the requirements under this section and section 6.
``(b) Membership of the Covered Entity.--
``(1) Eligible membership.--A joint agreement to form the 
covered entity shall be comprised of a voluntary association of 
institutions or conferences that includes, at a minimum, as of 
the date on which the joint agreement is entered into, not less 
than 75 percent of the institutions participating in the 
Football Bowl Subdivision, as defined by Bylaw 20.9.9 of the 
National Collegiate Athletic Association.
``(2) Invitation requirement.--
``(A) In general.--The covered entity shall offer 
membership on fair and nondiscriminatory terms to each 
conference and each institution that is in Division I, 
as defined by Bylaw 20.9 of the National Collegiate 
Athletic Association as of the date of enactment of the 
Protect College Sports Act of 2026.
``(B) Optional participation.--No conference or 
institution shall be required to join the covered 
entity or accept an offer under subparagraph (A), but 
no conference or institution eligible for membership 
under subparagraph (A) may be refused an invitation to 
join the covered entity.
``(c) Voting Rights.--
``(1) In general.--
``(A) Votes of conferences and institutions.--
Subject to subparagraph (C), the covered entity shall--
``(i) in the bylaws of the covered entity--
``(I) provide that each member 
conference or member institution has 1 
vote on each type of decision or 
determination described in paragraph 
(2); and
``(II) specify the minimum number 
of votes required for each type of 
decision or determination described in 
paragraph (2); and
``(ii) require the bylaws to be adopted 
unanimously by the member conferences and 
member institutions.
``(B) Votes of student athletes.--The covered 
entity shall--
``(i) for purposes of decisions and 
determinations described in paragraph (2)(C), 
designate not fewer than 10 individuals who, as 
of the date of designation, are student 
athletes or were student athletes during the 
preceding 10-year period; and
``(ii) ensure that each individual 
designated under clause (i) has 1 vote on a 
decision or determination described in 
paragraph (2)(C).
``(C) Non-voting member conferences.--If a 
conference and 1 or more of the institutions of the 
conference are members of the covered entity, the 
conference shall be a non-voting member of the covered 
entity.
``(2) Voting thresholds.--
``(A) Major decisions.--A major decision, as 
defined by the bylaws of the covered entity, shall 
require a vote totaling not less than \2/3\ of the 
member conferences or member institutions exercising 
their voting rights.
``(B) Non-major decisions.--A non-major decision, 
as defined by the bylaws of the covered entity, shall 
require a vote totaling not less than a majority of the 
member conferences or member institutions exercising 
their voting rights.
``(C) Revenue distributions or changes to voting 
allocations.--A determination regarding the allocation 
of collective media rights revenue or a decision to 
change a voting threshold described in this paragraph 
shall require a unanimous vote of the member 
conferences, member institutions, or current or former 
student athletes exercising their voting rights.
``(D) Media rights requirement.--A determination of 
which media rights shall be contributed to the covered 
entity pursuant to subsection (f) shall require a 
unanimous vote of the member conferences or member 
institutions exercising their voting rights.
``(d) Revenue Allocation Formula.--
``(1) Method.--Not less frequently than once each academic 
year, the covered entity shall distribute the collective media 
rights revenue among member conferences and member 
institutions--
``(A) according to the allocation of collective 
media rights revenue most recently determined in 
accordance with subsection (c)(2)(C); and
``(B) in accordance with the requirements of this 
subsection.
``(2) Requirements.--The distribution of collective media 
rights revenue under paragraph (1) shall--
``(A) ensure that--
``(i) each member conference or member 
institution receives a minimum distribution of 
collective media rights revenue, the amount of 
which shall be established under a bylaw 
adopted in accordance with subsection 
(c)(2)(C); and
``(ii) each member institution receives 
more collective media rights revenue (excluding 
revenue from the College Football Playoff) 
during each academic year than the largest 
amount of collective media rights revenue 
(excluding revenue from the College Football 
Playoff) that the institution received in any 
single academic year during the period of 
academic year 2021-2022 through academic year 
2024-2025;
``(B) distribute not less than 15 percent of the 
collective media rights revenue that remains after 
compliance with subparagraph (A) equally among all 
member institutions that received revenue from 
intercollegiate athletic competitions within 
intercollegiate football in the Football Bowl 
Subdivision during academic year 2024-2025; and
``(C) distribute the collective media rights 
revenue that remains after compliance with 
subparagraphs (A) and (B) to member institutions based 
on the performance of each institution during the 
academic year with respect to the institution's 
contribution to the collective media rights revenue.
``(3) Transfer of revenue.--Before distributing collective 
media rights revenue under paragraph (1), the covered entity 
shall, in accordance with section 106, transfer an amount of 
collective media rights revenue to the fund or program 
established under that section to ensure that the program or 
fund is adequately funded.
``(e) Protection of Women's and Olympic Sports.--
``(1) In general.--Any member institution that receives 
collective media rights revenue shall, consistent with 
applicable intercollegiate athletic association rules, offer 
and maintain at least as many 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 the 2024-2025 academic year.
``(2) Definition.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
term `non-revenue generating intercollegiate sports program' 
means an intercollegiate sports program at an institution for 
which, during an academic year, the revenues generated 
specifically attributable to that sports program are less than 
the direct and allocated operating expenses of that sports 
program.
``(f) Contribution of Media Rights.--
``(1) Condition of participation.--The covered entity shall 
require each member institution or member conference, as a 
condition of receiving a distribution of collective media 
rights revenue from the covered entity, to contribute to the 
covered entity, for sale by the covered entity, the media 
rights of the member institution or member conference, 
determined by a vote described in subsection (c)(2)(D), with 
the exception of the rights in the sponsored telecasting of the 
basketball tournaments organized by the National Collegiate 
Athletic Association.
``(2) Exclusive authority.--The covered entity shall have 
the exclusive authority to negotiate, sell, license, 
sublicense, and otherwise transfer on a pooled basis media 
rights contributed under paragraph (1), with the exception of 
the rights in the sponsored telecasting of the basketball 
tournaments organized by the National Collegiate Athletic 
Association.
``(3) Binding agreement.--The covered entity shall maintain 
a written agreement, binding on all member institutions or 
member conferences, that governs the collection and 
distribution of collective media rights revenue for the 
duration of the agreement.
``(g) Preservation of Conference Opponents and Traditional 
Rivalries.--
``(1) Conference opponents.--If, as of the date of 
enactment of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026, more than 
6 of the top 10 historic opponents in intercollegiate football 
of a member institution were intra-conference opponents of the 
member institution in intercollegiate football during the most 
recently completed season, the covered entity shall require the 
member institution to preserve, to the maximum extent 
practicable, intercollegiate athletic competitions within 
intercollegiate football amongst all of its current conference 
opponents as of that date of enactment.
``(2) Traditional rivalries.--
``(A) In general.--If, as of the date of enactment 
of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026, more than 2 
of the top 10 historic opponents in intercollegiate 
football of a member institution were out-of-conference 
opponents of the member institution in intercollegiate 
football during the most recently completed season, the 
covered entity shall require the member institution to 
play intercollegiate athletic competitions within 
intercollegiate football that constitute traditional 
rivalries, and ensure that--
``(i) the member institution plays not 
fewer than 2 intercollegiate athletic 
competitions within intercollegiate football 
that constitute a traditional rivalry every 4 
years; and
``(ii) the member institution plays not 
less than 1 intercollegiate athletic 
competition within intercollegiate football 
each year with an institution that is in a 
different conference and is one of the top 5 
historic opponents in intercollegiate football 
of the member institution.
``(B) Institutions with fewer than 4 out-of-
conference rivals.--If a member institution is subject 
to the requirements under subparagraph (A), and fewer 
than 4 of the top 10 historic opponents of the member 
institution in intercollegiate football are member 
institutions that belong to a different conference, the 
member institution shall seek to comply with clauses 
(i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A) to the extent 
practicable.
``(C) Savings clause.--Nothing in this paragraph 
shall be construed to affect the ability of a member 
institution to engage in intercollegiate athletic 
competitions within intercollegiate football against 
any other member institution within the same conference 
that was 1 of the top 10 historic opponents in 
intercollegiate football of the member institution as 
of the date of enactment of the Protect College Sports 
Act of 2026.
``(3) Periodic review; authority to modify requirements.--8 
years after the date of enactment of the Protect College Sports 
Act of 2026, and periodically thereafter, but not more 
frequently than once every 4 years, the covered entity--
``(A) may review the effects of the requirements 
under this subsection on fan interest, student 
athletes, media revenues, and preservation of 
traditional rivalries and historic opponents; and
``(B) may modify the requirements under this 
subsection.
``(h) Enforcement of the Act; Right to Cure.--
``(1) Private right of action.--Subject to paragraph (2), a 
person aggrieved by a violation of section 1(b), this section, 
section 6, or section 7, including a party to a joint agreement 
to form the covered entity, may bring a civil action against 
the covered entity in an appropriate district court of the 
United States.
``(2) Notice and opportunity to cure.--A person may only 
bring a civil action under paragraph (1) for a violation of 
section 1(b), this section, section 6, or section 7 if--
``(A) not later than 1 year before bringing the 
civil action, the person provides to the defendant 
specific notice of the violation and an opportunity to 
cure the violation; and
``(B) the defendant does not cure the violation 
during the 1-year period beginning on the date of the 
notice described in subparagraph (A).
``(i) Participation in Covered Entity Optional.--
``(1) In general.--Nothing in this Act shall, under Federal 
or State law, establish or be construed to require, mandate, or 
encourage any institution or conference to join, participate 
in, or transfer any media rights to the covered entity or to 
create or give rise to any duty, obligation, or standard of 
care to take such action.
``(2) Effect on liability.--Nothing in this Act, any 
amendments made by this Act, or a decision by an institution or 
conference to decline to join or participate in the covered 
entity may be used to support any claim, cause of action, or 
theory of liability under Federal or State law that would 
impose liability on an institution or conference or compel an 
institution or conference to join or participate in the covered 
entity.''.

SEC. 204. MARKET LEVEL BROADCAST ACCESS FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND 
BASKETBALL.

The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 is amended by inserting after 
section 5 (as added by section 203 of this Act) the following:

``SEC. 6. MARKET-LEVEL BROADCAST ACCESS FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND 
BASKETBALL.

``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Designated market area.--The term `designated market 
area' has the meaning given the term in section 122(j)(2)(C) of 
title 17, United States Code.
``(2) Local designated market area.--
``(A) In general.--The term `local designated 
market area' means an area that--
``(i) consists of a designated market area 
that includes the principal campus of an 
institution that is a member of the covered 
entity; and
``(ii) at the election of the member 
institution and the applicable network, 
distributor, or licensee holding market-level 
rights, may include not more than 1 additional 
geographically adjacent designated market area, 
or designated market area within the State in 
which the principal campus of the member 
institution is located, in which a substantial 
portion of the student body, alumni, or in-
State resident population of the member 
institution resides.
``(B) Publication of list.--The Federal 
Communications Commission shall--
``(i) not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of the Protect College Sports 
Act of 2026, publish a list of designated 
market areas described in subparagraph (A); and
``(ii) maintain the list described in 
clause (i) on a public website.
``(3) Local outlet option.--The term `Local Outlet option' 
means the opportunity for not less than 1 outlet to carry a 
live intercollegiate athletic competition without charge to 
viewers within the local designated market area of a member 
institution that is participating in the competition.
``(b) Requirement of Local Outlet Option.--
``(1) In general.--As a condition of the exemption under 
section 1(b)(1), the covered entity shall make commercially 
available by purchase or license, on a non-exclusive basis, for 
each intercollegiate athletic competition in football or 
basketball, not less than 1 Local Outlet option in the local 
designated market area of each member institution participating 
in the competition.
``(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in paragraph (1) shall 
be construed to require carriage of an intercollegiate athletic 
competition by more than 1 Local Outlet in a given designated 
market area.
``(3) No effect on national media agreements.--Nothing in 
paragraph (1) shall limit the covered entity's ability to 
negotiate nationwide or regional media agreements.
``(4) Requirement fulfillment.--A national rights holder 
may satisfy the requirement under paragraph (1) by making 
intercollegiate athletic competitions available to viewers in 
the applicable local designated market areas using an offering 
that the rights holder owns or is affiliated with that is 
freely available to viewers.
``(c) Good Faith Negotiation.--
``(1) In general.--Each covered entity, and any network, 
distributor, or licensee holding market-level rights or seeking 
Local Outlet option rights to intercollegiate athletic 
competitions described in subsection (b), shall negotiate in 
good faith to fulfill the requirement of that subsection.
``(2) Enforcement.--The Federal Communications Commission 
shall have jurisdiction over complaints alleging a violation of 
paragraph (1).''.

SEC. 205. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN CONFERENCE MERGERS OR ACQUISITIONS.

The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 is amended by inserting after 
section 6 (as added by section 204 of this Act) the following:

``SEC. 7. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN CONFERENCE MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS.

``(a) In General.--It shall be unlawful under the antitrust laws, 
as defined in section 1(a), for any conference that reported more than 
$1,000,000,000 in revenue on its fiscal year 2025 tax return to merge 
or consolidate with, or to acquire the assets, media rights (including 
media rights of an institution), or membership of, another conference, 
if as a result of the transaction, the number of institutions that are 
members of the conference would be less than the membership 
requirements under section 5(b)(1)(A).
``(b) Defenses Not Applicable.--A transaction prohibited under 
subsection (a) may not be justified by efficiencies, procompetitive 
effects, or any other defense under the antitrust laws, as defined in 
section 1(a).
``(c) Effect.--Any transaction consummated in violation of 
subsection (a) shall be void.''.

SEC. 206. AMENDMENTS TO INTERCOLLEGIATE AND INTERSCHOLASTIC FOOTBALL 
CONTEST LIMITATIONS.

Section 3 of the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 (15 U.S.C. 1293) 
is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
(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'';
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(3) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and 
inserting ``, and''; and
(4) 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.''.

SEC. 207. MEDIA RIGHTS UTILIZATION REQUIREMENT FOR COLLEGE SPORTS OTHER 
THAN FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL.

(a) Definitions.--In this section, the terms ``covered entity'', 
``intercollegiate athletic competition'', ``member conference'', and 
``member institution'' have the meanings given those terms in section 8 
of the Sports Broadcasting Act, as redesignated by section 201(b)(1) of 
this Act.
(b) Requirement of Use.--A distributor to which any media rights 
for intercollegiate athletic competitions in a sport other than 
football or basketball are sold, licensed, or otherwise conveyed by the 
covered entity or its member institutions or member conferences after 
the date of enactment of this Act shall affirmatively use those rights 
by making the competitions reasonably available to the public not later 
than 1 year after the effective date of the agreement under which the 
rights are sold, licensed, or otherwise conveyed.
(c) Reversion of Rights.--
(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.
(d) Savings.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to modify 
the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, as amended by this title.
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