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Congress·In Committee·3 months ago

House Bill Would Bar Colleges From Blocking Athletes' Name, Image, and Likeness Deals

Also known as: College Athletics Reform Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Positive Impacts(1)
Visa Holder
Helps

Key Points

  • College athletic groups and schools could not block athletes from making money from their name, image, or likeness, or punish them for doing so.
  • Athletes could hire agents, financial advisors, or lawyers, and schools could not punish them for getting that help.
  • Schools and athletic groups generally could not force athletes to share the details of their endorsement deals; if athletes share voluntarily, the school could not pass it along without written OK.
  • Deals paying athletes more than $600 would need basic written terms (who pays, how much, how long, services, how to end it) or the athlete could cancel the deal.
  • International student-athletes on student visas would be clearly allowed to do these paid activities; the bill also pushes more public reporting of athletic spending, scholarships, and any money shared with athletes starting in the 2026–2027 school year.
EducationConsumer ProtectionImmigrationLabor Employment

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Dec 2, 2025House

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, 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.

Dec 2, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

As soon as the bill becomes law (no delayed start date is listed for the NIL section)

NIL rights become enforceable against schools, conferences, and intercollegiate athletic associations

Athletes could accept NIL pay and hire representation without being blocked or punished, and could sue or ask the FTC/State AGs to enforce the rules.

Soon after the bill becomes law, once FTC sets enforcement priorities

FTC can begin enforcement actions for NIL-related violations

Athletes may see quicker pressure on organizations to stop punishing NIL activity, because FTC penalties and investigations become possible.

After the bill becomes law, when a State decides to take action

State attorneys general can bring cases on behalf of college athletes in their state

Athletes might get help enforcing rights without having to pay for a private lawsuit on their own.

After the bill becomes law (no delayed start date is listed)

Athletes can file private lawsuits and possibly recover attorney fees if they win

Schools/conferences may settle or change rules faster because losing in court could also mean paying the athlete’s legal costs.

As soon as the bill becomes law (no delayed start date is listed for these agent changes)

New sports agent rules take effect, including the 4% cap for endorsement-contract fees

Athletes using agents for endorsement deals could pay lower fees and have clearer exit rights when leaving school.

After the bill becomes law

FTC begins its required study on a possible independent agent-standards program

Could lead to future national standards for agents who work with college athletes, depending on what Congress does next.

No later than 1 year after the bill becomes law

FTC must deliver its study report to Congress

The report could drive follow-up laws or funding to create a new system for certifying and regulating athlete agents.

No later than 90 days after the bill becomes law

Congress appoints the 16-member Commission to Stabilize College Sports

The Commission starts the process that could lead to bigger changes later (like new rules on revenue sharing, athlete health and safety, or media rights).

2026-07-01

Expanded athletics financial disclosure rules begin (for academic year 2026–2027)

Schools must start collecting more detailed team-by-team revenue, spending, scholarship, and participation data to publish and report later.

By February 15 each year, starting after the first covered academic year (2026–2027)

First annual public posting deadline for schools’ expanded athletics reports

Families, recruits, and the public can compare schools’ athletics spending and scholarship patterns in a searchable online format.

Related News

2 articles
NIL Wire·3 months ago

You know your college sports bill is dead when it gets a Lane Kiffin nickname

The article discusses the introduction of the College Athletics Reform Act by Rep. Lori Trahan as a Democratic alternative to the Republican-backed SCORE Act, noting its endorsement by major professional sports players' associations and its focus on federal NIL standards.

C=
Front Office Sports·3 months ago

How the SCORE Act Vote Fell Apart

Coverage of the legislative battle over college sports reform, highlighting Rep. Lori Trahan's introduction of the College Athletics Reform Act (CARA) as a competing proposal that focuses on athlete rights and federal NIL standards following the collapse of the SCORE Act.

C=

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

College Athletics Reform Act

Bill NumberHR 6350
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, 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.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(24)
D: 24

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.