H.R. 9487: No Goodwill for Harming Women Act

This bill would change federal tax rules so that certain professional women’s sports franchises could not be treated as amortizable assets for tax purposes if they allow any male athlete to participate.

What that means in practice

• Under current tax law, some businesses can recover the cost of buying certain intangible assets, like a sports franchise, over time through amortization.
• This bill would block that tax treatment for a “specified sports franchise,” defined as a professional sports team or franchise designated for females that allows any individual whose sex is male to participate.
• The bill says “sex” means a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.
• The prohibition would also apply to other items acquired along with such a franchise, not just the franchise itself.

Tax administration

The Treasury Secretary would be directed to issue regulations or guidance needed to carry out the rule, including methods to:

• identify which franchises are covered by the bill, and
• verify whether a covered franchise also meets the bill’s participation criteria.

When it would apply

The change would apply only to property acquired after the bill becomes law.

Relevant Companies

None found.