Bipartisan Senate Bill Seeks to Address College Athletics Issues

A bipartisan Senate bill will address several longstanding issues in college athletics, including name, image and likeness enforcement, limits on athlete transfers and eligibility rules. The final wording of the legislation is scheduled to be announced next week.

Sources familiar with the effort told Fox News the measure aims to unite both parties on changes that athletic administrators have sought. The bill would create a governing body to provide clear guidance on the new rules and how they are enforced. College administrators are said to be in agreement on the approach.

It would also cover third-party NIL deals, enforcement of a revenue-share cap approved through a House settlement and protections on state laws related to NIL that have prompted lawsuits. President Trump signed an executive order on college athletics that emphasized the transfer portal, a five-year eligibility limit for five seasons of play and the structure of NIL payments.

The order is not binding, and the president acknowledged it would likely face court challenges. A committee created by Trump is supporting the legislation.

Congress has considered ways to assist college athletics leaders in managing changes that followed the shift to a new era of the sport. Issues include the transfer portal, NIL deals, the financial sustainability of programs and athletic department budgets.

The bipartisan bill is described as the most viable route for federal involvement. The legislation is expected to tackle the number of transfers allowed without penalty, address the employment status of college athletes and prevent circumvention of NCAA eligibility guidelines.

It follows years of debate over how to bring order to college sports. With midterm elections and a congressional recess approaching, the timing for action on the Senate floor is limited.

Even if the bill advances in the House, securing agreement in the Senate has been viewed as difficult. The measure incorporates input from athletic directors and commissioners. Arguments against it are anticipated, but supporters see it as the only approach likely to deliver regulations that could help resolve revenue problems in college athletics.

The executive order and the developing legislation reflect ongoing efforts to shape the future of college sports. Both sides of the aisle will need to reach agreement for the bill to advance.