Protecting Student Athletes' Rights, Health, and Finances in College Sports.
This Act fundamentally restructures college athletics by granting student athletes full control over earning compensation from their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) while safeguarding their scholarships against revocation due to injury or performance. It mandates that institutions cover all sports-related medical expenses for five years post-eligibility and establishes independent medical authority to prioritize athlete safety. Furthermore, the bill introduces reforms for transfers, agent regulation, and media revenue distribution aimed at supporting non-revenue and women's sports.
Key points
Student athletes gain unrestricted rights to earn compensation from their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL); scholarships are protected from being reduced due to NIL deals, injury, or roster cuts.
Institutions must cover all out-of-pocket medical expenses for sports-related injuries for five years after an athlete's eligibility ends.
Medical personnel are granted independent authority over return-to-play decisions, free from coaching influence, and mandatory health standards are established.
Agent fees for NIL contracts are capped at 5%, and athletes are allowed two transfers without losing eligibility.
Introduced
Additional Information
Print number: 119_S_2932
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Process start date: 2025-09-29