Press Releases

Today, as part of a bipartisan joint committee process to stabilize the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) marketplace, leadership from the Committee on Education and Workforce, Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Committee on the Judiciary introduced the Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act and issued the following statements:

“NIL offers an endless array of opportunities for student-athletes to make the most of their college experience, but the lack of clear guardrails has left athletes and universities on unstable ground. The SCORE Act creates a national framework that supports student-athletes and recenters the educational mission of college athletics,” said Tim Walberg (R-MI), Chairmen Brett Guthrie (R-KY), and Jim Jordan (R-OH). “We are proud of this landmark legislation, and we look forward to working with our colleagues to strengthen this American institution.”

“College athletics are a vital part of American culture, and it's clear—from both student-athletes and universities—that a national framework is long overdue. The Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act delivers the stability, clarity, and transparency that stakeholders have been calling for,” said Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade. “I’m proud of the work our Subcommittee has done on this important issue, and I look forward to advancing a measure that establishes clear guardrails—ones that empower student-athletes while upholding the core educational mission of our colleges and universities.”

“As the mom of a D1 athlete, I've seen firsthand how important—and how long overdue—fit was to allow our student athletes to earn their fair share,” said Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (D-OR). “The NIL marketplace in college sports is currently operating like the Wild Wild West. This legislation takes important steps towards adding guardrails that guarantee that all student athletes can earn fair compensation, access a complete and quality education, and develop the skills they need to succeed in life after sports. I look forward to continuing to work on this bipartisan bill and delivering both strong protections and good opportunities to student athletes.” 

“The current college sports environment has drastically changed in the NIL era and this bill provides a framework to where students can not only be compensated but also have access to resources like health care and financial literacy courses, to ensure they have a solid foundation for their lives after college and we can get back to just playing ball,” said Congressman Shomari C. Figures (D-AL). “I look forward to continuing the bipartisan work to make this the strongest bill possible and protect student athletes, schools, and our athletic conferences.”

“College athletes in Michigan and across the country deserve the chance to benefit from the value they help create,” said Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-MI), Chairwoman of the House Republican Conference. “Throughout my work on NIL reform, I have pushed for fairness, transparency, and preserving the student-athlete model. I’m proud the SCORE Act includes key principles I have championed, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to move this important legislation forward.”

“Student athletes are the embodiment of the American Dream. But that dream is at a crossroads due to the uncertainty facing college athletics,” said Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI), Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust. “The SCORE Act provides the necessary framework to recapture the principles and spirit of collegiate sport, while ensuring our student athletes can be fairly compensated and adequately protected for years to come. I’m grateful to the University of Wisconsin and all who participated in our Judiciary Committee roundtable, which helped expand our understanding of the current landscape around antitrust liability for the NCAA and informed the development of this legislation.”

“The SCORE Act is a significant step forward for name, image, and likeness (NIL) in college sports. A lack of clear rules and the inability to enforce them have turned the NIL landscape into the Wild West. This bill will finally bring order to the chaos—protecting universities and conferences from a flood of litigation, safeguarding Olympic and women’s sports teams, and creating a fair, national framework that allows student-athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness,” said Congressman Russell Fry (R-SC). “As a member of both the House Energy and Commerce and House Judiciary Committees, I’m proud of the work we have done in an effort to strike the right balance between supporting student-athletes ad preserving the integrity of college sports.”

Background:

Without clear federal standards, college athletic programs and athletes face a chaotic patchwork of state laws, legal uncertainty, and growing threats to traditional sports programs. The SCORE Act restores order by: 

• Reaffirming the student-first model;
• Defending Olympic sports;
• Shielding athletes from being exploited by bad actors;
• Establishing clear regulatory authority and enforcement mechanisms; and
• Improving transparency and accountability to better protect athletes and universities. 

Click HERE to read the bill text.
Click HERE to read the story.
Click HERE to view the SCORE Act fact sheet.

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