College Athletics Reform Act
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3]
Introduced
Summary
Protects college athletes' NIL rights and would create a federal framework to govern name, image, and likeness deals, regulate agents, ease immigration for international players, and launch a legislative Commission to study broad governance and revenue reforms.
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- Athletes: Strengthens players' rights by banning retaliation for receiving NIL pay, affirming the right to representation and privacy, and requiring written NIL deals over $600. It also creates FTC enforcement and private lawsuits for violations.
- Agents and representatives: Caps endorsement commissions at 4 percent, requires state registration and certification, and gives athletes contract termination rights after enrollment. The FTC must study an independent certification program and report to Congress within one year.
- Colleges, conferences, and governance: Adds an antitrust safe harbor for large associations with more than 136 members to jointly sell media rights and expands yearly athletics reporting with detailed gender and revenue breakdowns, effective July 1, 2026, for the 2026–2027 year.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Stronger NIL and agent rules for athletes
If enacted, this would protect college athletes’ right to be paid for their name, image, and likeness. Schools and conferences could not punish athletes for NIL deals or for hiring agents. NIL deals over $600 would have to be in writing with key terms, or the athlete could void them. If the athlete is under 18, a parent or guardian would need to sign. Agents could charge no more than 4% of endorsement pay and must register with a State. Agency contracts would have to let athletes end the deal after they leave school. Schools could not force athletes to share NIL terms, and any voluntary disclosure could not be re-shared without consent. Athletes could sue, and the FTC and state officials could enforce. The FTC would also study an independent agent certification program and report to Congress within 1 year.
Visa and NIL rules for international athletes
If enacted, this would create an F‑visa path for current college athletes who qualify for full‑time study at approved schools. Schools would have to report if the athlete stops attending. Doing NIL marketing would not make these students inadmissible or violate their status.
More public data on college sports
If enacted, colleges would have to report team‑level sports data each year. Reports would cover scholarships, athlete aid, revenues, participation, and which Title IX test the school uses. Schools must send data to the Education Department by October 15 and post it online by February 15. This would start July 1, 2026, for the 2026–2027 year and after.
New congressional panel on college sports
If enacted, Congress would create a 16‑member commission to study college sports. Leaders would appoint members within 90 days and choose two co‑chairs. The panel could hold hearings and issue subpoenas. It would report within 2 years after a majority are appointed, then end 90 days later. Congress would fund it, split 50/50 between House and Senate accounts.
Antitrust safe harbor for college TV deals
If enacted, antitrust laws would not apply to certain joint broadcast deals by colleges. The safe harbor would cover agreements that pool media rights when the athletic association has more than 136 member schools. This could change how conferences and schools sell media rights and share revenue.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3]
MA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]
VA • D
Sponsored 12/2/2025
Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2]
RI • D
Sponsored 12/2/2025
Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]
LA • D
Sponsored 12/2/2025
Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4]
AZ • D
Sponsored 12/2/2025
Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15]
CA • D
Sponsored 12/2/2025
Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]
MA • D
Sponsored 12/2/2025
Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]
PA • D
Sponsored 12/2/2025
Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]
NY • D
Sponsored 12/2/2025
Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]
NM • D
Sponsored 12/2/2025
Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3]
NV • D
Sponsored 12/2/2025
Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21]
CA • D
Sponsored 12/2/2025
Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22]
FL • D
Sponsored 12/2/2025
Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25]
CA • D
Sponsored 12/2/2025
Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45]
CA • D
Sponsored 12/2/2025
Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4]
MN • D
Sponsored 12/2/2025
Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32]
TX • D
Sponsored 12/2/2025
Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1]
WA • D
Sponsored 12/3/2025
Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]
HI • D
Sponsored 12/3/2025
Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13]
OH • D
Sponsored 12/3/2025
Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2]
CT • D
Sponsored 12/3/2025
Fletcher
TX • D
Sponsored 12/3/2025
Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1]
ME • D
Sponsored 12/3/2025
Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5]
OR • D
Sponsored 12/10/2025
Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3]
MI • D
Sponsored 12/10/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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