USMMA Athletics Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Roger Wicker
Introduced
Summary
Creates a government-owned, New York-based nonprofit to support United States Merchant Marine Academy athletics. This bill would let the Secretary of Transportation establish and oversee a 501(c)(3) corporation that raises funds, holds certain assets, runs trademark licensing, and signs contracts to support USMMA sports programs.
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- USMMA athletes and teams: Would get a dedicated fundraising and operating arm that can accept donations, ticket and licensing revenue, NCAA and conference funds, and use licensing fees to cover recruiting and program costs.
- Department of Transportation: Would be able to transfer nonappropriated fund assets to the corporation, lease academy property for up to five years, and authorize DOT employees to serve on the board with a limit of one-third of seats.
- Governance and staff: Board members could not receive pay beyond reasonable travel and related expenses. Corporation personnel would not be federal employees.
- Partners and sponsors: The corporation could enter marketing, sponsorship, and sole-source contracts to support USMMA athletics, subject to Secretary approval and rules meant to protect DOT integrity.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New nonprofit to support USMMA athletics
If enacted, the Secretary of Transportation would be able to set up a government-owned nonprofit in New York to support USMMA athletics. All stock would be owned and voted by the Secretary, and the group would have to be a 501(c)(3) working only for charitable, educational, and civic purposes. The Secretary would be able to accept money, goods, and services from that nonprofit, the NCAA, conferences, game guarantees, ticketing and licensing fees, and keep and spend those funds to support USMMA athletics. The Secretary could lease academy property for up to five years, transfer nonappropriated fund assets (but not real property), and provide essential support services like utilities and security under contracts. The Secretary could sign contracts and cooperative agreements, including some sole-source deals within legal limits, and allow the nonprofit to make licensing, marketing, and sponsorship agreements with Secretary approval. Board members would serve without pay except for reasonable travel expenses, and DOT employees could serve only for oversight and not make up more than one-third of the board.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Roger Wicker
MS • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]
AZ • D
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov