Bill · H.R. 3847· House(119-HR-3847)
Student-athlete Protections and Opportunities through Rights, Transparency, and Safety Act
- Introduced
- 6/9/2025
- Last activity
- 6/9/2025 — Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
- Sponsored by
- Lisa McClain
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "SPORTS Act," aims to protect the name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights of student athletes. It prevents institutions, conferences, and interstate intercollegiate athletic associations from restricting a student athlete's ability to enter into NIL agreements. The legislation establishes requirements for these agreements to be in writing and includes specific disclosure rules. Additionally, it mandates that institutions provide various forms of education and training to student athletes receiving grants-in-aid. The bill also requires institutions to cover medical costs for certain injuries sustained during participation in varsity sports. Finally, it clarifies that student athletes are not considered employees of their institutions or associations.
Yes· 3 of 9
Would students be better off under this?+8
The bill provides significant protections for student athlete rights, including medical costs and educational continuity.
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+7
The bill significantly enhances the economic rights and educational security of student athletes.
Does this make college cost less?+6
The bill protects student-athlete grants-in-aid from being canceled due to injury or performance and ensures availability for degree completion.
The opposite
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-5
The bill contains preemptive language that limits the ability of states to regulate intercollegiate athletics.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of NIL Rights: No institution, conference, or interstate intercollegiate athletic association may restrict a student athlete's ability to enter into a name, image, and likeness agreement (Section 3(a)(1)).
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Right to Representation: Institutions and associations cannot prohibit a student athlete from participating in competitions based on them obtaining NIL representation (Section 3(b)).
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Market Value Transparency: Interstate intercollegiate athletic associations must maintain a public, searchable database to help athletes estimate the fair market value for NIL agreements (Section 5(a)(2) and Section 6(b)(1)).
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Comprehensive Education and Training: Institutions must provide student athletes receiving grants-in-aid with training in areas such as financial literacy, mental health, nutrition, and career preparation (Section 7(b)).
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Medical Cost Coverage: Institutions are required to pay the medical costs of a student athlete for injuries that occurred while they were a student athlete and resulted from participation in a varsity sports team (Section 7(c)).
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Protection of Financial Aid: Institutions are prohibited from reducing or canceling a grant-in-aid due to athletic performance, injury, or roster management decisions (Section 7(d)(1)).
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Continued Educational Support: For a 10-year period, institutions must make a grant-in-aid available for degree completion regardless of whether the athlete continues to participate in a varsity sports team (Section 7(d)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Eligibility Restrictions: An institution may still restrict a student athlete's eligibility if their NIL agreement violates the school's code of conduct, negatively impacts the institution's reputation, or conflicts with existing contracts (Section 3(a)(2)).
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Disclosure Burdens: Student athletes are required to disclose the terms of their NIL agreements to their institution within 60 days of entering the agreement (Section 3(a)(3)).
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Agent Registration and Consent Requirements: Athlete agents must disclose their registration status, and if they are not registered with an interstate intercollegiate athletic association, they must obtain written consent from the athlete or a parent/guardian before assisting with an endorsement contract (Section 4/Section 9).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Students+8Good For Young Adults+7
- Education And Technology
- Improves College Affordability+6Improves Data Privacy+3
- Healthcare
- Improves Mental Health Access+5Improves Healthcare Access+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+4Improves Government Transparency+3Improves Privacy Rights+3Increase States Rights-5
- 6/9/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Janelle BynumDemocrat · Oregon