The SCORE Act protects student-athletes' name, image, and likeness rights, mandates academic and career support, requires athletic fee transparency, and allows interstate athletic associations to establish rules. It also outlines governance requirements, emphasizes compliance with antitrust laws, and clarifies student-athlete employment status. The Act also mandates programs to regulate student athlete agents and requires compliance reporting by athletic associations. It aims to bring transparency to athletic fees, restricts high-revenue institutions from using student fees for athletics, and preempts conflicting state laws. Finally, it includes a study on the Act's impact on Olympic Sports and recommendations for their support.
Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements Act or the SCORE Act
This bill provides a framework for the compensation of student athletes for the use of their name, image, or likeness (NIL). This includes addressing certain elements of the court approved agreement to settle the In re College Athlete NIL Litigation (i.e., House settlement).
Specifically, the bill statutorily prohibits institutions, conferences, or interstate intercollegiate athletic associations (e.g., the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)) from restricting the ability of a student athlete to enter an NIL agreement.
The bill also requires institutions of higher education that generate $20 million or more in annual revenue from the institution's intercollegiate athletics activities to (1) provide counseling and medical benefits to student athletes, and (2) establish and maintain at least 16 varsity sports teams.
Further, the bill authorizes interstate intercollegiate athletic associations to establish rules with respect to athletic eligibility, transfers, recruitment, and the disclosure of NIL agreements.
Under the bill, student athletes may not be considered employees of an institution, conference, or interstate intercollegiate athletic association.
The bill also preempts state laws with respect to compensation, payments, benefits, employment status, eligibility, and academic standards applicable to student athletes.
Compliance with the provisions of this bill is considered lawful under federal and state antitrust laws.
