Student-athlete Protections and Opportunities through Rights, Transparency, and Safety Act
Sponsored By: Representative McClain
Introduced
Summary
Clear federal rules for student-athlete name, image, and likeness (NIL). This bill would create a national framework that would let student athletes sign NIL deals, require disclosures and written contracts, and tie some federal education funding to institutional compliance.
Show full summary
- Student athletes would be allowed to enter NIL agreements broadly but would have to disclose any deal to their institution within 60 days. NIL agreements would have to be written and include the services, parties, term, compensation, and a termination-on-non-performance clause.
- Institutions would need to provide education on career preparation, financial literacy, mental health, nutrition, and related supports to grant-in-aid recipients to remain eligible for federal education funding. They would have to pay medical costs for injuries that occurred while enrolled for up to 4 years after separation and keep grants-in-aid available for degree completion for 10 years.
- Interstate associations and conferences would register NIL representatives and maintain a publicly searchable anonymized database to estimate NIL market value using institutional submissions by July 1 each year. Athlete agents who assist with endorsement contracts would have to disclose whether they are registered and obtain written consent if they are not, while the bill would preempt conflicting state laws and limit liability for compliant actors.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.
Schools cover sports injury medical bills
If enacted, if you were hurt while playing a varsity sport, your school would have to pay your related medical costs for 4 years after you graduate or leave. This would apply to schools that want federal education funds starting one year after enactment.
Stronger sports scholarships and degree access
If enacted, schools could not cut or cancel a sports grant-in-aid for athletic reasons, injury, illness, or roster moves. Your grant would stay available for up to 10 years from the date you first agreed to it, even if you stop playing. A grant-in-aid would cover tuition, room, board, books, fees, stipends, and personal expense funds, but not above your school’s cost of attendance. Schools would also have to provide training on jobs, money, mental health, NIL, nutrition, sexual violence prevention, strength, and transferring. This training tie-in would apply to federal funding starting one year after enactment.
Playing sports alone not employee status
If enacted, just playing on a varsity team would not make you an employee of your school, conference, or association. This could limit access to wages and employee benefits tied to that status.
National NIL rules preempt state laws
If enacted, states and local governments could not enforce NIL, pay, employment status, or eligibility rules that conflict with this Act. That would create one national standard. Schools, conferences, and associations that follow the Act would also be protected from lawsuits for adopting rules the Act allows.
School funding tied to NIL compliance
If enacted, a school could lose Department of Education funding if it does not meet this Act’s requirements and any rules the Secretary issues. This would apply to federal funding made available starting one year after enactment.
Rules for NIL deals and school limits
If enacted, NIL deals would have to be in writing and list services, parties, term, pay, and when it can be ended for non‑performance. You would have 60 days to tell your school the terms, and the school generally could not share them without your written consent (except anonymized reporting). Schools, conferences, and associations could not block you from NIL deals or bar you from play just for having an agent; they could limit eligibility only for conduct violations, reputational harm, or contract conflicts. The bill would also define what counts as compensation and what does not, like grants‑in‑aid, Pell Grants, and standard health insurance.
Conferences set recruiting and transfer rules
If enacted, conferences and interstate associations would be able to set when and how recruiting happens and to make transfer rules. They could limit or ban pay from schools or conferences meant to induce a transfer, as long as rules follow this Act.
Help finding fair NIL pay and agents
If enacted, associations would register NIL agents and run a public database with anonymized past deals to estimate fair market value. Schools would send anonymized deal details by July 1 of the first year after enactment and every year after. Agents would have to disclose if they are registered; if not, you (or a parent for a minor) would need to give written consent after a written notice. Immediate family helping you would not count as formal NIL representation.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
McClain
MI • R
Cosponsors
Bynum
OR • D
Sponsored 6/9/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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