H.R. 9137: Protect College Sports Act of 2026

The "Protect College Sports Act of 2026" is legislation designed to enhance the rights and protections of student athletes in the realm of intercollegiate athletics. The bill focuses on a few key areas:

Name, Image, and Likeness Rights

The Act seeks to uphold the rights of student athletes regarding their name, image, and likeness (NIL). It requires each intercollegiate athletic association to establish a publicly accessible database aimed at estimating the market value of student athletes for NIL agreements. This database is to be updated annually by September 1st but is designed to protect the anonymity of the athletes. This regulation specifically targets Division 1 institutions and requires collaboration among member institutions to compile this information.

The bill emphasizes student athlete welfare by examining issues related to abuse prevention and ensuring that educational benefits are balanced with athletic commitments. It proposes the establishment of a Commission tasked with investigating these welfare issues and mandates that public hearings be held to discuss their findings. The Commission will also outline membership requirements, and its recommendations for legislative action, including those related to financial aspects of athletic benefits, must be approved by lawmakers.

The legislation includes specific provisions for intercollegiate football rivalries. Member institutions with notable historic rivalries are required to schedule a minimum number of rivalry games each year and at least once every four years. However, the bill includes flexibility provisions allowing schools to modify these requirements based on the availability of opposing teams.

To promote fair competition in college sports, the bill introduces new disclosure requirements and modifies existing regulations surrounding sports agents. This is aimed at creating a more transparent environment for student athletes in dealings regarding their representation and agreements related to their athletic careers.

The Act also establishes oversight structures intended to ensure compliance with its provisions, thus promoting the integrity and fairness of intercollegiate athletics. These measures aim to provide both athletes and academic institutions with a clearer understanding of their rights and obligations.

To maintain the relevance of the regulations and ensure ongoing oversight, the bill mandates certain aspects, such as the athlete market value database, to be reviewed and updated regularly. This will help all stakeholders stay informed about the evolving landscape of college sports and athlete rights.

Public hearings will be held to discuss the welfare recommendations put forth by the Commission, making the topics of student athlete rights and their protection a part of the public discourse, ensuring that benefits and protections are regularly scrutinized and improved upon.

Relevant Companies

• NIL - An organization that may be influenced by changes to college athlete rights and compensation structures.