    [Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
    [S. 4668 Reported in Senate (RS)]

    <DOC>

                                                           Calendar No. 449
    119th CONGRESS
      2d Session
                                    S. 4668

        To protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide
    protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among
               intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes.

    _______________________________________________________________________

                       IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                                  June 2, 2026

       Mr. Cruz (for himself, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Schmitt, and Mr. Coons)
    introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
               Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

                                 June 24, 2026

                    Reported by Mr. Cruz, with an amendment
     [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
                                   in italic]

    _______________________________________________________________________

                                     A BILL

        To protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide
    protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among
               intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes.

        Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
    United States of America in Congress assembled,

    <DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Protect
    College Sports Act of 2026''.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
    is as follows:</DELETED>

    <DELETED>Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
     <DELETED>TITLE I--PROTECTIONS OF STUDENT ATHLETES AND FAIR COMPETITION

    <DELETED>Sec. 100. Definitions.
    <DELETED>Sec. 101. Name, image, and likeness protections.
    <DELETED>Sec. 102. Modifications to Sports Agent Responsibility and
                                Trust Act.
    <DELETED>Sec. 103. Agent registry requirements for intercollegiate
                                athletic associations.
    <DELETED>Sec. 104. Disclosures and establishment of name, image, and
                                likeness agreement database.
    <DELETED>Sec. 105. Academic protections.
    <DELETED>Sec. 106. Medical coverage requirements.
    <DELETED>Sec. 107. Health, wellness, and safety standards.
    <DELETED>Sec. 108. Office of the Student Athlete Ombudsman.
    <DELETED>Sec. 109. Comparable standards for access to facilities,
                                services, and events.
    <DELETED>Sec. 110. Rules governing certain mid-season coaching
                                transitions.
    <DELETED>Sec. 111. Student athlete representation on intercollegiate
                                athletic association governing boards.
    <DELETED>Sec. 112. Transfer protections.
    <DELETED>Sec. 113. Eligibility to participate in intercollegiate
                                sports.
    <DELETED>Sec. 114. Prohibited compensation and agreements.
    <DELETED>Sec. 115. Extension of the revenue share cap.
    <DELETED>Sec. 116. Commission on the Future of College Athletics.
    <DELETED>Sec. 117. Recruitment and tampering.
    <DELETED>Sec. 118. Limitation on liability.
    <DELETED>Sec. 119. Private right of action.
    <DELETED>Sec. 120. Whistleblower protection.
    <DELETED>Sec. 121. Relationship to existing law.
    <DELETED>Sec. 122. Neutrality on employee or non-employee status.
    <DELETED>Sec. 123. Applicability.
    <DELETED>Sec. 124. Severability.
                     <DELETED>TITLE II--SPORTS BROADCASTING

    <DELETED>Sec. 201. Definitions.
    <DELETED>Sec. 202. Limitation on liability for transmission of
                                collegiate sports competitions.
    <DELETED>Sec. 203. Requirements for entities selling media rights.
    <DELETED>Sec. 204. Market level broadcast access for college football
                                and basketball.
    <DELETED>Sec. 205. Prohibition on certain conference mergers or
                                acquisition.
    <DELETED>Sec. 206. Amendments to intercollegiate and interscholastic
                                football contest limitations.
    <DELETED>Sec. 207. Media rights utilization requirement for college
                                sports other than football and basketball.

          <DELETED>TITLE I--PROTECTIONS OF STUDENT ATHLETES AND FAIR
                             COMPETITION</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 100. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    In this title:</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) Antitrust laws.--The term ``antitrust laws''
            has the meaning given that term in the 1st section of the
            Clayton Act (15 U.S.C. 12) and includes--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) section 5 of the Federal Trade
                    Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45) to the extent that such
                    section 5 applies to unfair methods of competition;
                    and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) any similar State antitrust law,
                    including a State law provision that applies to
                    covering unfair methods of competition having the force
                    and effect of law.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) Associated entity.--The term ``associated
            entity'' means any individual or entity, including a
            collective, that is--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) known, or should have been known, to
                    exist for or act for the benefit of, in coordination
                    with, or at the direction of an institution to promote
                    or support an institution's athletics program or
                    student athletes, including by creating or identifying
                    name, image, and likeness compensation opportunities
                    for an institution's student athletes;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) an individual or entity that is or was
                    a member, employee, director, officer, owner, or agent
                    of an individual or entity described in subparagraph
                    (A);</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (C) an individual or entity that directly
                    or indirectly (including contributions by an affiliated
                    entity, individual, or family member) has contributed
                    more than $50,000 over their lifetime to a particular
                    institution or to an individual or entity described in
                    subparagraph (A);</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (D) an individual or entity that has
                    directly or indirectly been directed or requested by an
                    institution or third party acting on behalf of, for the
                    benefit of, in coordination with, or at the direction
                    of an institution to assist in the recruitment or
                    retention of student athletes or prospective student
                    athletes, or otherwise has assisted in the recruitment
                    or retention of student athletes or prospective student
                    athletes; or</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (E) an individual or entity owned,
                    controlled, or operated by, or otherwise affiliated
                    with the individuals or entities described in
                    subparagraph (A).</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) Athlete agent.--The term ``athlete agent'' has
            the meaning given that term in section 2 of the Sports Agent
            Responsibility and Trust Act (15 U.S.C. 7801).</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (4) Collective.--The term ``collective''--
            </DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) means a person, corporation, booster
                    organization, tax-exempt organization, or other entity
                    that provides donations or other support directly or
                    indirectly to or for the benefit or support of--
                    </DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (i) a student athlete who is
                            enrolled, or who may enroll, at an institution;
                            or</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (ii) the intercollegiate athletics
                            program or any booster organization of an
                            institution; and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) does not include--</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (i) an immediate family member of
                            a student athlete; or</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (ii) an individual or entity
                            that--</DELETED>
                                    <DELETED>    (I) licenses trademark
                                    rights of an institution; and</DELETED>
                                    <DELETED>    (II) does not--</DELETED>
                                            <DELETED>    (aa) license name,
                                            image, and likeness rights of
                                            student athletes; or</DELETED>
                                            <DELETED>    (bb) make payments
                                            earmarked or designated to fund
                                            name, image, or likeness
                                            licenses or other payments to
                                            student athletes.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (5) Compensation.--The term ``compensation''--
            </DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) means any payment, remuneration, or
                    benefit provided to a student athlete or a prospective
                    student athlete; and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) does not include--</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (i) grants-in-aid;</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (ii) Federal Pell Grants provided
                            under section 401 of the Higher Education Act
                            of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a) or any other Federal
                            or State grants unrelated to and not awarded
                            with regard to participation in intercollegiate
                            sports;</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (iii) health insurance and the
                            costs of health care funded by an institution,
                            intercollegiate athletic association, or
                            conference;</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (iv) disability and loss-of-value
                            insurance, including disability and loss-of-
                            value insurance funded by an institution,
                            intercollegiate athletic association, or
                            conference;</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (v) career counseling, job
                            placement services, or other guidance available
                            to all students at an institution;</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (vi) hourly wages and benefits for
                            work performed outside of participating in
                            intercollegiate sports at a rate commensurate
                            with the prevailing rate in the relevant State
                            or locality for similar work;</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (vii) enhanced education benefits,
                            including academic awards;</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (viii) financial literacy or tax
                            education resources; or</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (ix) any program to connect
                            student athletes with employers and facilitate
                            employment opportunities, if--</DELETED>
                                    <DELETED>    (I) the financial terms of
                                    such employment opportunities are
                                    consistent with the terms offered to
                                    similarly situated employees who are
                                    not student athletes; and</DELETED>
                                    <DELETED>    (II) such program is not
                                    used to induce a student athlete to
                                    attend a particular
                                    institution.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (6) Conference.--The term ``conference'' means any
            organization that is not an intercollegiate athletic
            association and that--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) has 2 or more institutions as members;
                    and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) arranges championships for
                    intercollegiate athletic competitions or sets rules for
                    intercollegiate athletic competition.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (7) Cost of attendance.--The term ``cost of
            attendance''--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) has the meaning given that term in
                    section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
                    U.S.C. 1087ll); and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) shall be calculated by the financial
                    aid office of an institution applying the same
                    standards, policies, and procedures for all
                    students.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (8) Grant-in-aid.--The term ``grant-in-aid''
            means--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) a scholarship, grant, stipend, or
                    other form of financial assistance, including the
                    provision of tuition, room, board, books, or funds for
                    fees or personal expenses, that--</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (i) is paid or provided by an
                            institution to a student for the undergraduate
                            or graduate education of the student;
                            and</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (ii) is in an amount that does not
                            exceed the cost of attendance for such student
                            at the institution; and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) does not include compensation paid to
                    a student athlete.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (9) Image.--With respect to a student athlete, the
            term ``image'' means a picture, video, computer-generated
            representation, or other depiction that identifies, is linked
            to, or is reasonably linked to the student athlete.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (10) Institution.--Except as otherwise explicitly
            provided, the term ``institution'' has the meaning given the
            term ``institution of higher education'' under section 101 of
            the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (11) Intercollegiate athletic association.--The
            term ``intercollegiate athletic association''--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) means any organization, not-for-profit
                    corporation, association, or any other group organized
                    in the United States that--</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (i) sponsors or arranges
                            intercollegiate athletic competition between
                            institutions;</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (ii) sets common rules, standards,
                            procedures, or guidelines for the
                            administration of intercollegiate athletic
                            competition;</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (iii) is composed of 2 or more
                            institutions or conferences that are located in
                            different States or participate in
                            intercollegiate athletic competition in more
                            than 1 State; and</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (iv) is not a
                            conference;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) includes--</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (i) the National Collegiate
                            Athletic Association; and</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (ii) any other national
                            intercollegiate athletic association;
                            and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (C) does not include a corporation,
                    association, or other group affiliated with
                    professional athletic competition.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (12) Intercollegiate athletic competition.--The
            term ``intercollegiate athletic competition'' means any
            intercollegiate sport contest, game, meet, match, tournament,
            regatta, or other intercollegiate sport event in which student
            athletes or varsity sports teams compete.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (13) Intercollegiate sport.--The term
            ``intercollegiate sport''--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) means a sport played between
                    institutions for which eligibility requirements for
                    participation by a student athlete are established by
                    an interstate intercollegiate athletic association;
                    and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) does not include a recreational,
                    intramural, or club sport.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (14) Likeness.--With respect to a student athlete,
            the term ``likeness'' means a physical or digital depiction or
            representation that identifies, is linked to, or is reasonably
            linked to the student athlete, including--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) the uniquely identifiable body,
                    physical characteristics, or voice of the student
                    athlete;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) any other mark that identifies or
                    distinguishes the student athlete; or</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (C) the jersey number associated with the
                    student athlete during the period of athletic
                    participation by the student athlete at an institution
                    if the jersey number is accompanied by--</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (i) a logo or color scheme that is
                            clearly associated with the institution;
                            or</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (ii) some other means by which the
                            jersey number is associated with the student
                            athlete.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (15) Name.--With respect to a student athlete, the
            term ``name'' means the first or last name that identifies the
            student athlete, a nickname or assumed name of the student
            athlete, or a username associated with the student athlete on
            any public-facing internet platform when used in a context that
            identifies, is linked to, or is reasonably linked to the
            student athlete.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (16) Name, image, and likeness agreement.--The
            term ``name, image, and likeness agreement'' means a contract
            or similar agreement between a student athlete (or group of
            student athletes) and a conference, institution,
            intercollegiate athletic association, associated entity,
            collective, or third party regarding the commercial use of the
            name, image, and likeness rights of the student athlete (or
            group of student athletes).</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (17) Name, image, and likeness rights.--The term
            ``name, image, and likeness rights'' means the ability of a
            student athlete to market and profit from the commercial use of
            his or her name, image, or likeness.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (18) Prospective student athlete.--The term
            ``prospective student athlete'' means an individual who is
            recruited, actively being recruited, or has been contacted for
            the purposes of recruitment to attend an institution as a
            student athlete, but has not yet enrolled at the
            institution.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (19) Revenue share cap.--The term ``revenue share
            cap'' means the Benefits Pool Limit set forth in the Injunctive
            Relief Settlement Agreement approved by the court in ``In Re
            College Athlete NIL Legislation'', No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal.
            June 6, 2025), or as modified pursuant to the amendment
            provision specified in paragraph 55 of that
            settlement.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (20) Student athlete.--The term ``student
            athlete'' means an individual who is enrolled as a full-time
            student at an institution and who--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) makes satisfactory progress towards
                    completing a degree; and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) participates in intercollegiate
                    athletic competition or competes for a varsity sports
                    team as part of the institution's educational,
                    developmental, or extracurricular programs.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (21) Third party.--The term ``third party'' means
            an individual or entity that is not an institution, associated
            entity, collective, conference, or intercollegiate athletic
            association.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (22) Valid business purpose.--The term ``valid
            business purpose'' means a purpose genuinely related to the
            promotion of goods or services provided to the general public
            for profit.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (23) Varsity sports team.--The term ``varsity
            sports team'' means a sports team composed of student athletes
            that is organized by an institution for the purpose of
            intercollegiate athletic competition.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 101. NAME, IMAGE, AND LIKENESS PROTECTIONS.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    (a) Student Athlete Name, Image, and Likeness
    Compensation.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Except as provided in this title,
            an institution, conference, intercollegiate athletic
            association, or any representative of such an entity may not--
            </DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) restrict the ability of a student
                    athlete, group of student athletes, or prospective
                    student athlete--</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (i) to market or earn compensation
                            for the value of their name, image, or likeness
                            rights; or</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (ii) to enter into a name, image,
                            and likeness agreement;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) restrict the eligibility for
                    intercollegiate athletic competition for a student
                    athlete or prospective student athlete on the basis of
                    the student athlete or prospective student athlete
                    entering into a name, image, and likeness agreement or
                    marketing or earning compensation for the value of
                    their name, image, or likeness;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (C) unless otherwise required by law,
                    limit the eligibility or opportunity of a student
                    athlete or prospective student athlete to apply for or
                    receive a grant-in-aid, including the amount, duration,
                    or renewal of such grant-in-aid, on the basis of the
                    student athlete or prospective student athlete entering
                    into a name, image, and likeness agreement, or
                    marketing or earning compensation for the value of
                    their name, image, or likeness; or</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (D) unless otherwise required by law,
                    revoke, reduce, or decline to renew a grant-in-aid for
                    a student athlete or prospective student athlete based
                    on the student athlete or prospective student athlete
                    entering into a name, image, and likeness agreement or
                    marketing or earning compensation for the value of
                    their name, image, or likeness.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) Consent and compensation for group use.--An
            institution, conference, intercollegiate athletic association,
            collective, third party, or any representative thereof, may not
            use the name, image, or likeness of any group of student
            athletes to sell or promote any product or service unless the
            institution, conference, athletic association, collective, or
            third party, as the case may be, obtains an agreement from each
            member of the group for that purpose.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) Exceptions.--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) Certain agreements.--An institution
                    may restrict the eligibility for intercollegiate
                    athletic competition of a student athlete or
                    prospective student athlete who enters into a name,
                    image, and likeness agreement that violates the code of
                    student conduct of the institution that applies to all
                    students enrolled at the institution.</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) Certain uses.--An institution may
                    restrict the eligibility for intercollegiate athletic
                    competition of a student athlete or prospective student
                    athlete if, in connection with a name, image, and
                    likeness agreement, the student athlete or prospective
                    student athlete uses a facility, uniform, equipment,
                    registered or unregistered trademark, copyright-
                    protected product, or the official logo, mark, or other
                    indicia of the institution without the express consent
                    of the institution.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (b) Mandatory Disclosures by Student Athletes.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) In general.--All student athletes shall report
            to their institution--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) not later than 30 days after entering
                    into a name, image, and likeness agreement, the terms
                    of any such agreement that exceeds $600 in value,
                    including multiple payments, remunerations, or benefits
                    from the same entity that exceeds a total of $600 over
                    a 12-month period; and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) to the extent not reported under
                    subparagraph (A), not later than 30 days after
                    receiving compensation for the name, image, or likeness
                    of the student athlete, the amount and source of any
                    such compensation that exceeds $600, including multiple
                    payments, remunerations, or benefits from the same
                    entity that exceeds a total of $600 over a 12-month
                    period.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) Mandatory disclosures by recruited athletes.--
            With respect to a student athlete or prospective student
            athlete who is recruited to attend, but is not yet enrolled in,
            an institution, the student athlete or prospective student
            athlete shall report to the institution--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) the terms of any current or ongoing
                    name, image, and likeness agreement that exceeds $600
                    in value, including multiple payments, remunerations,
                    or benefits from the same entity that exceeds a total
                    of $600 over a 12-month period; and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) to the extent not reported under
                    subparagraph (A), the amount and source of any current
                    or ongoing name, image, and likeness compensation that
                    exceeds $600, including multiple payments,
                    remunerations, or benefits from the same person that
                    exceeds a total of $600 over a 12-month
                    period.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) Exception.--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) In general.--Paragraphs (1) and (2)
                    shall not apply to either marketing or earning
                    compensation for the value of the name, image, and
                    likeness rights of a student athlete or to the
                    compensation within a name, image, and likeness
                    agreement in which a student athlete receives less than
                    $600, including multiple payments, remunerations, or
                    benefits from the same person that totals less than
                    $600 over a 12-month period.</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) Adjustment for inflation.--An
                    intercollegiate athletic association shall adjust the
                    amount described in clause (i) for inflation by the
                    percent increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index
                    for All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of
                    Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor for the
                    most recent 12-month period for which applicable data
                    is available.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (4) Release of information.--Except as provided in
            section 104, an institution may not release any information
            provided by a student athlete or prospective student athlete in
            a disclosure under paragraph (1) or (2) without the express
            written consent of the student athlete, prospective student
            athlete, athlete agent of the student athlete or prospective
            student athlete, or, in case of a minor, the parent or legal
            guardian of the minor.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (5) Limitation.--This subsection shall apply only
            to Division I institutions as defined by bylaw 20.9 of the
            National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw,
            and student athletes or prospective student athletes of such
            institutions.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (c) Name, Image, or Likeness Compensation by
    Institutions.--Subject to the requirements of this title, an
    institution, intercollegiate athletic association, conference,
    collective, associated entity, or third party, may pay, provide, or
    facilitate compensation to a student athlete for the use of the name,
    image, or likeness of the student athlete.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (d) Right to Representation.--An institution,
    intercollegiate athletic association, or conference may not restrict
    the eligibility for intercollegiate athletic competition, or any other
    event or activity relating to intercollegiate athletic competition, of
    a prospective student athlete or student athlete based on the
    prospective student athlete or student athlete having obtained an
    athlete agent or legal representative.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (e) Educational Resources Regarding This Title.--An
    intercollegiate athletic association shall provide student athletes and
    prospective student athletes and the parents or guardians of student
    athletes or prospective student athletes with educational materials
    relating to this title.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 102. MODIFICATIONS TO SPORTS AGENT RESPONSIBILITY AND
                  TRUST ACT.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    (a) In General.--The Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust
    Act (15 U.S.C. 7801 et seq.) is amended--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) in section 2 (15 U.S.C. 7801)--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) in paragraph (5), by inserting before
                    the period the following: ``and includes any name,
                    image, and likeness agreement as defined in section 100
                    of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026'';</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (6)
                    through (9) as paragraphs (7) through (10),
                    respectively; and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (C) by inserting after paragraph (5) the
                    following:</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(6) Intercollegiate athletic association.--The
            term `intercollegiate athletic association' has the meaning
            given that term in section 100 of Protect College Sports Act of
            2026'';</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) in section 3 (15 U.S.C. 7802)--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) in subsection (a)--</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (i) in paragraph (2), by striking
                            ``or'' at the end;</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (ii) in paragraph (3), by striking
                            the period at the end and inserting a
                            semicolon; and</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (iii) by adding at the end the
                            following:</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(4) enter into an agency contract or represent a
            student athlete in a manner that violates section 9;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(5) charge a student athlete a fee in connection
            with an endorsement contract that exceeds 5 percent of the
            value of the endorsement contract;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(6) enter into an agency contract with an
            athlete for a term that extends beyond the eligibility of the
            student athlete to participate in intercollegiate
            sport;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(7) make any materially false, deceptive, or
            fraudulent representation as an athlete agent, including any
            materially false, deceptive, or fraudulent statement to a
            student athlete or prospective student athlete that
            misrepresents the existence, nature, or value of a name, image,
            or likeness opportunity the athlete agent can arrange on behalf
            of the student athlete or prospective student athlete through
            recruitment or transfer to an institution (as defined in
            section 100 of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026);
            or</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(8) make a materially false, deceptive, or
            fraudulent statement in the application for registration as an
            athlete agent.''; and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) in subsection (b)(3), by striking
                    ``Warning to Student Athlete: If you agree orally or in
                    writing to be represented by an agent now or in the
                    future you may lose your eligibility to compete as a
                    student athlete in your sport.'';</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) by inserting after section 5 (15 U.S.C. 7804)
            the following:</DELETED>

    <DELETED>``SEC. 5A. PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    ``(a) In General.--Any current or former student athlete
    alleging a violation of paragraphs (4) through (8) of section 3(a),
    section 9, or section 10 may bring a civil action in an appropriate
    district court of the United States or in an appropriate State
    court.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    ``(b) Relief.--In a civil action brought under subsection
    (a) in which the plaintiff prevails, the court may award--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(1) a declaratory judgment that a name, image,
            or likeness agreement (as defined in section 100 of the Protect
            College Sports Act of 2026) or an agency contract, as
            applicable, is null and void; and</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(2) actual damages.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    ``(c) Attorney's Fees and Costs.--In a civil action
    brought under subsection (a) in which the defendant is not an
    institution (as defined in section 100 of the Protect College Sports
    Act of 2026), the court may, in its discretion, award reasonable
    attorney's fees and litigation costs to the prevailing party.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    ``(d) Invalidity of Pre-Dispute Arbitration Agreements and
    Pre-Dispute Joint Action Waivers.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other
            provision of law, no pre-dispute arbitration agreement or pre-
            dispute joint action waiver shall be valid or enforceable
            against a student athlete with respect to a dispute arising
            under this Act.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(2) Applicability.--Any determination as to
            whether or how paragraph (1) applies to any dispute shall be
            made by a court, rather than an arbitrator, without regard to
            whether the agreement or waiver that is the subject of the
            dispute purports to delegate such determination to an
            arbitrator.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(3) Definitions.--In this subsection:</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(A) Pre-dispute arbitration agreement.--
                    The term `pre-dispute arbitration agreement' means any
                    agreement to arbitrate a dispute that has not arisen at
                    the time of the making of the agreement.</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(B) Pre-dispute joint-action waiver.--
                    The term `pre-dispute joint-action waiver' means an
                    agreement, whether or not part of a pre-dispute
                    arbitration agreement, that would prohibit, or waive
                    the right of, one of the parties to the agreement to
                    participate in a joint, class, or collective action in
                    a judicial, arbitral, administrative, or other forum,
                    concerning a dispute that has not yet arisen at the
                    time of the making of the agreement.''; and</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (4) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>

    <DELETED>``SEC. 9. REGISTRATION OF ATHLETE AGENTS AND OTHER
                  REQUIREMENTS.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    ``(a) In General.--An athlete agent who seeks to represent
    a student athlete in an endorsement contract shall--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(1) register with a State before representing a
            student athlete for an endorsement contract; and</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(2) enter into an agency contract with the
            student athlete before providing representation in an
            endorsement contract.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    ``(b) Registration Established.--An individual is deemed
    to be registered with a State for purposes of this section if the
    individual is--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(1) a registered professional sports agent with
            a professional sports league or players association, in good
            standing; or</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(2) registered and certified under the All State
            Uniform Agent Acts in the State in which the agent operates, in
            good standing.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    ``(c) Certification to Intercollegiate Athletic
    Associations.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(1) Requirement.--An athlete agent that
            represents a student athlete shall certify to each applicable
            intercollegiate athletic association that the athlete agent is
            registered with a State.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(2) Prohibition.--It is unlawful for an
            individual to certify to an intercollegiate athletic
            association that the individual is an athlete agent if the
            individual is not registered with a State.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    ``(d) Requirements for Agency Contracts.--To be a valid
    contract, an agency contract shall--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(1) state the name of each party to the
            contract;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(2) state the term of the contract;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(3) state the registration information for the
            athlete agent; and</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(4) state the fee or commission charged by the
            athlete agent.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>``SEC. 10. ENDORSEMENT CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    ``(a) Requirements for Endorsement Contracts.--An
    endorsement contract made in interstate or foreign commerce is, at the
    option of the student athlete, void from the inception of such contract
    if such contract does not satisfy the following requirements:</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(1) The contract is in writing.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(2) The contract plainly states that the student
            athlete has the right to obtain or retain an athlete agent or
            legal representation with respect to the contract.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(3) The contract contains--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(A) a description of services
                    rendered;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(B) the names of each party to the
                    contract;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(C) the terms of the contract;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(D) the amount of compensation to be
                    provided to the student athlete under the
                    contract;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(E) a provision specifying the
                    circumstance or event that would result in the
                    termination of the contract due to nonperformance of
                    obligations by the student athlete or other parties to
                    the contract; and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(F) a provision specifying that the
                    validity and effectiveness of the contract, and the
                    provision of compensation to the student athlete under
                    the contract, is not conditioned upon any express or
                    implicit requirement that the student athlete enroll or
                    remain enrolled at an institution or reside in a
                    particular location within the United States, unless
                    the party making the contract with the student athlete
                    is an institution, conference, associated entity, or
                    collective affiliated with the institution and the
                    contract is entered into after the student athlete has
                    enrolled at such institution.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(4) The contract is not for a term that extends
            beyond the eligibility of the student athlete to participate in
            intercollegiate sports, if such contract is between a student
            athlete and an institution, intercollegiate athletic
            association, conference, associated entity, or
            collective.''.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (b) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents for the
    Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act is amended--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) by inserting after the item relating to
            section 5 the following:</DELETED>

    <DELETED>``Sec. 5A. Private right of action.'';
            <DELETED>and</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>

    <DELETED>``Sec. 9. Registration of athlete agents and other
                                requirements.
    <DELETED>``Sec. 10. Endorsement contract requirements.''.

    <DELETED>SEC. 103. AGENT REGISTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERCOLLEGIATE
                  ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONS.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    (a) Requirements of Intercollegiate Athletic
    Associations.--An intercollegiate athletic association shall maintain a
    publicly available website that includes a searchable database of
    athlete agents that--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) are registered with a State and certified
            pursuant to section 9 of the Sports Agent Responsibility and
            Trust Act, as added by section 102; and</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) have certified compliance with all rules and
            bylaws of such intercollegiate athletic association, including
            any recruitment and tampering rules adopted under section
            117.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (b) Decertification Permitted.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) In general.--An intercollegiate athletic
            association may decertify or fine an athlete agent for any
            violations of section 9 of the Sports Agent Responsibility and
            Trust Act, as added by section 102, or any violation of section
            117 on recruitment and tampering.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) Effect of decertification.--An athlete agent
            that is decertified pursuant to paragraph (1) may not represent
            or contact a student athlete or prospective student athlete of
            an institution that is a member of such intercollegiate
            athletic association.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 104. DISCLOSURES AND ESTABLISHMENT OF NAME, IMAGE, AND
                  LIKENESS AGREEMENT DATABASE.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    (a) Disclosures by Institutions.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) Disclosure of data on name, image, and
            likeness agreements.--Not later than July 1 of the first year
            beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act, and each
            July 1 thereafter, each institution shall disclose to the
            intercollegiate athletic association of which the institution
            is a member, in an anonymized manner, the following
            data:</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) With respect to each name, image, and
                    likeness agreement disclosed to the institution by a
                    student athlete as required by section 101(b)--
                    </DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (i) a description of services
                            rendered; and</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (ii) the amount of compensation to
                            be provided to the student athlete or group of
                            athletes under the agreement.</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) With respect to each name, image, and
                    likeness agreement entered into between the institution
                    and a student athlete, disaggregated by intercollegiate
                    sports program--</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (i) the number of agreements the
                            institution entered into;</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (ii) the average value of the
                            agreements; and</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (iii) the total value of the
                            agreements.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) Report on revenue and student outcomes.--Not
            later than 60 days after the date on which an academic year
            ends, each institution with 1 or more intercollegiate sports
            programs shall submit to the governing athletic association for
            such institution a report that includes, for the academic year,
            the following:</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) The amount of revenues and
                    expenditures of each such sports program, including the
                    amount of associated entity and third-party donations,
                    Federal funds, and State funds, including the total
                    amount of remuneration for personnel of each
                    intercollegiate sports program, individually by program
                    and in the aggregate.</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) The average number of hours student
                    athletes spent on intercollegiate athletic events and
                    intercollegiate athletic competition, disaggregated by
                    sports program.</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (C) The academic outcomes and majors for
                    student athletes, disaggregated by sports
                    program.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) Treatment of men's and women's programs.--An
            institution shall treat men's and women's sports programs as
            distinct sports programs for the purposes of disclosure and
            reporting obligations under this subsection.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (4) Protection of personally identifiable
            information.--In making a disclosure under paragraph (1), an
            institution shall ensure that no personally identifiable
            information of a student athlete is transmitted to an
            intercollegiate athletic association.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (b) Disclosures by Associations and Database.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Not later than September of the
            first year beginning after the date of the enactment of this
            Act, each intercollegiate athletic association shall establish
            and maintain a publicly accessible, searchable database for
            student athletes and their agents to estimate the fair market
            value for name, image, and likeness agreements.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) Content of database.--An intercollegiate
            athletic association shall include the data reported by
            institutions pursuant to subsection (a)(1) in the database
            described in paragraph (1).</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) Update of database.--An intercollegiate
            athletic association shall update the database described in
            paragraph (1) each September 1.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (4) Privacy.--An intercollegiate athletic
            association shall take reasonable technical measures to ensure
            that information available in the database described in
            paragraph (1) may not be used to identify a student
            athlete.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (5) Limitation.--This section applies only to
            institutions that compete in Division 1 as defined by bylaw
            20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a
            successor bylaw.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 105. ACADEMIC PROTECTIONS.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    (a) Prohibitions Relating to Coursework and
    Extracurricular Activities.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) In general.--An employee or volunteer of an
            athletic department of an institution may not--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) exert undue pressure over or prevent a
                    student athlete from selecting a course or an academic
                    major of the student athlete's choice;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) retaliate against a student athlete
                    based on the student athlete's selection of any course
                    or academic major; or</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (C) prevent a student athlete who seeks to
                    secure employment or internships, participate in
                    student groups or events, or serve as a volunteer from
                    doing so, unless such activity interferes with
                    mandatory class time or mandatory events related to
                    intercollegiate athletic competition or membership on a
                    varsity sports team.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) Participation in athletic related
            activities.--In order to ensure each student athlete makes
            satisfactory progress toward the completion of a degree, each
            intercollegiate athletic association and any institution that
            is a member of such association may limit a student athlete to
            only participate in countable athletic-related activities as
            part of the educational, developmental, or extracurricular
            programs of the institution.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) Rule of construction.--Paragraph (1) may not
            be construed as preventing an institution, an athletic
            department of an institution, or a representative thereof
            from--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) informing a student athlete of
                    academic eligibility requirements and mandatory and
                    expected team activities; or</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) providing other legitimate academic
                    counseling and support services, in collaboration with
                    the institution, to help the student athlete pursue the
                    academic interests of and improve academic outcomes for
                    the student athlete.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (b) Financial Literacy and Life Skills.--An institution
    that offers financial literacy and life skills programming directed to
    student athletes may not include any marketing, advertising, referral,
    or solicitation offers in such programming.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (c) Scholarship Protections.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph
            (2), an institution that awards a grant-in-aid to a student
            athlete may not revoke, reduce, or condition the grant-in-aid
            of the student athlete--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) based on the athletic ability or
                    performance of the student athlete or the contribution
                    of the student athlete to the success of a varsity
                    sports team;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) as a result of an injury or illness
                    based on a physical or mental medical condition of the
                    student athlete; or</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (C) roster management decisions.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) Exception.--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) In general.--An institution may
                    revoke, reduce, or condition the grant-in-aid of a
                    student athlete or former student athlete who--
                    </DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (i) transfers to another
                            institution; or</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (ii) does not remain in good
                            standing in accordance with--</DELETED>
                                    <DELETED>    (I) the standards or code
                                    of conduct of the institution
                                    applicable to all students;</DELETED>
                                    <DELETED>    (II) the established
                                    athletics program policies for
                                    participating in mandatory team
                                    athletic activities for a varsity
                                    sports team; or</DELETED>
                                    <DELETED>    (III) the academic
                                    standards for athletic
                                    eligibility.</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) Notice.--An institution shall provide
                    a student athlete with timely written notice with
                    respect to any possible revocation or reduction of, or
                    condition on, the grant-in-aid or athletic eligibility
                    of the student athlete.</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (C) Reinstatement.--In the case of a
                    revocation or reduction of, or condition on, the grant-
                    in-aid of a student athlete under this paragraph, an
                    institution may reinstate or remove any condition
                    placed on such grant-in-aid if the student athlete
                    subsequently cures or satisfies the reasons provided by
                    the notice in subparagraph (B).</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (D) Former student athletes.--</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (i) In general.--With respect to a
                            former student athlete described in clause
                            (ii), an institution shall provide the former
                            student athlete--</DELETED>
                                    <DELETED>    (I) the opportunity to
                                    resume study at the institution for the
                                    purpose of completing the requirements
                                    necessary to earn a degree;
                                    and</DELETED>
                                    <DELETED>    (II) the amount of grant-
                                    in-aid the former student athlete
                                    received while previously enrolled at
                                    the institution and participating--
                                    </DELETED>
                                            <DELETED>    (aa) in
                                            intercollegiate athletic
                                            competition; or</DELETED>
                                            <DELETED>    (bb) as a member
                                            of a varsity sports
                                            team.</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (ii) Former student athlete
                            described.--A former student athlete described
                            in this subparagraph is a former student
                            athlete of an institution who--</DELETED>
                                    <DELETED>    (I) was enrolled at the
                                    institution during their last year of
                                    eligibility to participate in
                                    intercollegiate athletic competition
                                    during the preceding 10-year
                                    period;</DELETED>
                                    <DELETED>    (II) received grant-in-aid
                                    while enrolled at the
                                    institution;</DELETED>
                                    <DELETED>    (III) was not subject to
                                    the revocation of grant-in-aid under
                                    subparagraph (A)(ii)(I); and</DELETED>
                                    <DELETED>    (IV) has not completed the
                                    course of study for an undergraduate
                                    degree.</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (iii) Application.--This
                            subparagraph applies only to institutions that
                            compete in Division I, as defined by bylaw 20.9
                            of the National Collegiate Athletic
                            Association, or successor bylaw.</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (E) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this
                    paragraph may be construed to preclude--</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (i) an institution from providing
                            additional grant-in-aid protections for student
                            athletes or former student athletes;
                            or</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (ii) an intercollegiate athletic
                            association, conference, institution, student
                            athlete, or former student athlete from
                            requesting or advocating for additional grant-
                            in-aid protections.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) Limitation.--Subsection (c)(2)(D) shall apply
            only to institutions that compete in Division I as defined by
            bylaw 20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or
            a successor bylaw.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 106. MEDICAL COVERAGE REQUIREMENTS.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    (a) In General.--Each Division I institution, as defined
    by bylaw 20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a
    successor bylaw, or an intercollegiate athletic association or
    conference comprised of Division I member institutions shall provide or
    cause to be provided--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) during the participation of a student athlete
            in an intercollegiate sport--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) all out-of-pocket medical expenses,
                    such as copayments or deductibles, for the health care
                    coverage of a student athlete for any injury or disease
                    incurred through participation in an intercollegiate
                    sport;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) the expense for obtaining a medical
                    second opinion independent of the institution for any
                    injury or disease the student athlete incurred through
                    participation in an intercollegiate sport;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (C) catastrophic injury medical insurance
                    for any injury or disease incurred through
                    participation in an intercollegiate sport that exceeds
                    $90,000 in medical costs; and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (D) an end-of-college physical examination
                    for a student athlete for the purpose of documenting
                    and diagnosing any injury or condition related to the
                    student athlete's participation in an intercollegiate
                    sport; and</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) for the 5-year period beginning on the date
            after the last intercollegiate competition for the student
            athlete, the cost of all out-of-pocket medical expenses of the
            student athlete for health care coverage for any injury or
            disease incurred through participation in an intercollegiate
            sport.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (b) Intercollegiate Athletic Association Post-Eligibility
    Insurance and Catastrophic Injury Fund or Program.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) In general.--An intercollegiate athletic
            association comprised of member institutions that compete in
            Division I, Division II, or Division III, as defined by bylaw
            20 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a
            successor bylaw, on behalf of its member institutions must
            establish a fund or program to help cover the cost of--
            </DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) in the case of a Division I
                    institution that generates less than $20,000,000 in
                    total annual athletics revenue during the preceding
                    academic year, compliance with subsection (a)(2) (or,
                    in the case of a Division II or Division III
                    institution, voluntary compliance with subsection
                    (a)(2)), in the event of demonstrated financial
                    hardship; and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) post-eligibility medical expenses for
                    a member institution's student athletes diagnosed with
                    significant long-term conditions related to their
                    participation in an intercollegiate sport, including
                    chronic traumatic encephalopathy and any other
                    cognitive impairment.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) Amount of fund.--The intercollegiate athletic
            association described in this subsection shall ensure that the
            fund or program established under this subsection is funded at
            an amount that totals at least $60,000,000 on the first day of
            each academic year.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) Use of collective media rights.--In ensuring
            that the fund or program established under paragraph (2) is
            adequately funded, an intercollegiate athletic association may
            use the collective media rights revenue from a covered entity,
            in accordance with section 5(d)(3) of the Sports Broadcasting
            Act of 1961, as added by section 203.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be
    construed to preclude an intercollegiate athletic association from--
    </DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) providing or causing to be provided to student
            athletes medical coverage in addition to the medical coverage
            required by subsection (a); or</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) exceeding $60,000,000 for the fund or program
            established in subsection (b) for any academic year.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 107. HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND SAFETY STANDARDS.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    (a) Establishment of Standards.--Not later than 270 days
    after the date of the enactment of this Act, each institution,
    conference, and intercollegiate athletic association shall adhere to
    standards to protect student athletes from sports-related serious
    injury, conditions, and death, including--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) brain injury, by adhering to the concussion
            management practices, protocols, and legislation of the
            National Collegiate Athletic Association effective January 15,
            2024, and as amended to strengthen protections for student
            athletes;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) heat-related illness, by adhering to the
            American College of Sports Medicine Expert Consensus Statement
            on Exertional Heat Illness: Recognition, Management, and Return
            to Activity (April 2023), and as amended to strengthen
            protections for student athletes;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) rhabdomyolysis, in accordance with the
            guidelines of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for
            exertional rhabdomyolysis published in 2025, and as amended to
            strengthen protections for student athletes; and</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (4) for any student athlete who is identified
            with--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) sickle cell trait, by following the
                    guidelines published by the National Collegiate
                    Athletic Association in 2025, and as amended to
                    strengthen protections for student athletes;
                    and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) asthma, by following the guidelines of
                    the National Athletic Trainers' Association Position
                    Statement: Management of Asthma in Athletes (September
                    2005), and as amended to strengthen protections for
                    student athletes.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (b) Measures To Prevent, Assess, and Remediate Abuse or
    Misconduct.--Each institution, conference, and intercollegiate athletic
    association shall take reasonable actions to prevent, assess, and
    remediate--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) abuse or hazing of any student athlete,
            including physical and sexual abuse; and</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) sexual assault, sexual misconduct, and sexual
            harassment.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (c) Provision of Information on Contact for Student
    Athlete Ombudsman.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) Intercollegiate athletic association.--An
            intercollegiate athletic association shall provide to student
            athletes information on how to contact the Office of the
            Student Athlete Ombudsman, as established in section 108, on
            the internet website of the association.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) Institution.--At the beginning of each
            academic year, an institution shall provide to student athletes
            information on how to locate the website specified under
            paragraph (1) or a link to the website and information on how
            to contact the Office of the Student Athlete Ombudsman, as
            established in section 108.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (d) Athletic Health and Safety Officers.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Each institution shall designate
            an employee, who is independent of the athletic department, as
            the athletic health and safety officer for the
            institution.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) Reporting.--The athletic health and safety
            officer designated under paragraph (1) shall report to an
            employee of the institution who is independent of the athletic
            department.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) Officer responsibilities.--An employee who is
            designated by an institution under paragraph (1) as an athletic
            health and safety officer shall be responsible for, at a
            minimum--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) overseeing implementation of the
                    applicable requirements the institution is subject to
                    under this section, including any applicable training,
                    oversight practices, policies, and procedures;
                    and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) consulting with student athletes and
                    athletic department personnel and reporting any
                    suspected violations of this section to the employee
                    specified under paragraph (2).</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (e) Independence of Medical Professionals.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Medical personnel, including
            athletic trainers, physical therapists, and physicians, shall
            have the autonomous, unchallengeable authority to determine
            medical management and return to play decisions for student
            athletes under their care at an institution.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) Limitation on nonmedical personnel.--No coach
            or other nonmedical personnel of an institution may attempt to
            influence or disregard the decisions of medical personnel with
            respect to the medical management and return to play decisions
            for student athletes under their care at the
            institution.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be
    construed to preclude--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) an intercollegiate athletic association from
            establishing additional health, wellness, and safety standards
            to protect student athletes; or</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) an intercollegiate athletic association,
            conference, institution, or student athletes from requesting or
            advocating for additional health, wellness, and safety
            standards to protect student athletes.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 108. OFFICE OF THE STUDENT ATHLETE OMBUDSMAN.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    (a) In General.--An intercollegiate athletic association
    shall establish an office to support student athletes, known as the
    ``Office of the Student Athlete Ombudsman'' (in this section referred
    to as the ``Office'').</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (b) Duties.--The Office shall--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) provide independent advice to student athletes
            at no cost about the applicable requirements of this title and
            the amendments made by this title, including with respect to
            their rights and responsibilities and the resources
            available;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) assist in the resolution of student athlete
            concerns regarding the intercollegiate athletic association,
            conferences, or institutions;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) provide independent advice to student athletes
            with respect to the role, responsibility, authority, and
            jurisdiction of the intercollegiate athletic association,
            conferences, or institutions;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (4) provide student athletes with current contact
            information for external third-party resources for student
            athletes; and</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (5) provide independent advice to student athletes
            with respect to the relative value of engaging legal
            counsel.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (c) Administration.--An interstate intercollegiate
    athletic association shall hire and provide salary, benefits, and
    administrative expenses for an Ombudsman and support staff for the
    Office.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (d) Confidentiality.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The Office shall maintain as
            confidential any information communicated or provided to the
            Office in confidence in any matter involving the exercise of
            the official duties of the Office.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) Exception.--The Office may, with the
            permission of the parties involved, disclose information
            described in paragraph (1) as necessary to resolve or mediate a
            dispute.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) Application.--The confidentiality requirements
            under this subsection shall not apply to information--
            </DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) as necessary to comply with applicable
                    reporting requirements mandated by Federal
                    law;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) relating to a felony personally
                    witnessed by a member of the Office;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (C) if necessary to protect an individual
                    at imminent risk of serious harm; or</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (D) with the permission of the parties
                    involved, as necessary to resolve or mediate a
                    dispute.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (4) Judicial and administrative proceedings.--
            </DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) In general.--The Ombudsman and any
                    staff of the Office shall not be compelled to testify
                    or produce evidence in any judicial or administrative
                    proceeding with respect to any matter involving the
                    exercise of the duties of the Office.</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) Confidentiality.--Any memorandum, work
                    product, notes, or case file of the Office--</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (i) shall be confidential;
                            and</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (ii) shall not be--</DELETED>
                                    <DELETED>    (I) subject to discovery,
                                    subpoena, or any other means of legal
                                    compulsion; or</DELETED>
                                    <DELETED>    (II) admissible as
                                    evidence in a judicial or
                                    administrative proceeding.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (5) Prohibition on retaliation.--No employee,
            contractor, agent, volunteer, or member of an intercollegiate
            athletic association, a conference, or an institution shall
            take or threaten to take any action against a student athlete
            as a reprisal for disclosing information to or seeking
            assistance from the Office.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (e) Independence in Carrying Out Duties.--The board of
    directors or other governing board or committee of an intercollegiate
    athletic association, a conference, or an institution shall not prevent
    or prohibit the Office from carrying out any duty or responsibility
    under this section.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 109. COMPARABLE STANDARDS FOR ACCESS TO FACILITIES,
                  SERVICES, AND EVENTS.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    Intercollegiate athletic associations and conferences
    shall maintain comparable standards for medical care, lodging, meals,
    rest, transportation, and, if applicable, athletic facilities for
    championship events or tournaments, across similarly situated men's and
    women's athletic programs.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 110. RULES GOVERNING CERTAIN MID-SEASON COACHING
                  TRANSITIONS.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    (a) In General.--An individual who serves, or has served
    at any point during a competitive season, as football athletic
    personnel for a varsity sports team for intercollegiate football at an
    institution shall not, during that same competitive season, perform for
    another institution any duties or responsibilities customarily
    associated with a head coach of a varsity sports team for
    intercollegiate football, including, at a minimum--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) recruiting or contacting prospective or
            current student athletes;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) directing, participating in, or materially
            influencing recruiting strategy or evaluations;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) directing, participating in, or materially
            influencing roster management decisions, including decisions
            relating to transfers;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (4) facilitating, coordinating, negotiating, or
            otherwise materially influencing name, image, and likeness
            activities involving student athletes;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (5) directing, supervising, or materially
            influencing coaching staff or team operations;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (6) participating in practice planning, game
            preparation, strategic decision-making, or on-field
            activities;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (7) publicly representing the institution in an
            intercollegiate football-related capacity in a manner that
            reflects or implies authority over the intercollegiate football
            program; and</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (8) undertaking any other activity customarily
            associated with a head coach of a varsity sports team for
            intercollegiate football.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (b) Application.--Subsection (a) shall apply without
    regard to title, formal designation, compensation structure, employment
    status, or timing of any public announcement, and the applicable
    intercollegiate athletic association may prohibit any arrangement that,
    in substance or effect, provides an individual described in subsection
    (a) with authority or responsibilities customarily exercised by a head
    coach.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (c) Determination of Ineligibility.--An individual
    described in subsection (a) who accepts employment, appointment, or
    designation as head coach of a varsity sports team for intercollegiate
    football at another institution during the same competitive season is
    ineligible to participate in intercollegiate athletic competition for
    intercollegiate football as head coach for the hiring institution
    through the conclusion of the competitive season, including any
    postseason competition, of the prior institution or the hiring
    institution, whichever occurs later.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (d) Penalties for Non-Compliance.--In the event an
    individual who accepts employment, appointment, or designation as head
    coach of a varsity sports team for intercollegiate football at another
    institution violates this section, that individual shall be ineligible
    to assume the duties as head coach of the varsity sports team for
    intercollegiate football at the hiring institution for the subsequent
    competitive season after the season in which the violation occurred and
    be subject to additional penalties sufficient to ensure compliance with
    this section.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (e) Application.--This section applies only to
    institutions that compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision, as defined
    by bylaw 20.9.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a
    successor bylaw.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (f) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) Applicable intercollegiate athletic
            association.--The term ``applicable intercollegiate athletic
            association'' means only an intercollegiate athletic
            association that has at least one member institution that is a
            member of the Football Bowl Subdivision, as defined by bylaw
            20.9.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a
            successor bylaw.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) Competitive season.--The term ``competitive
            season'' means the period beginning with the first regularly
            scheduled intercollegiate athletic competition for
            intercollegiate football for an institution during a season and
            ending with the conclusion of the final intercollegiate
            athletic competition for intercollegiate football for the
            institution during that season.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) Football athletic personnel.--The term
            ``football athletic personnel'' means any individual employed
            by, contracted with, or otherwise engaged by an institution who
            provides coaching, instruction, recruiting, roster management,
            or training as the head coach or a coordinator, including an
            offensive, defensive, or special teams coordinator, of student
            athletes who are members of or participate with the varsity
            sports team for intercollegiate football of the
            institution.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (4) Intercollegiate football.--The term
            ``intercollegiate football''--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) means football played between
                    institutions for which eligibility requirements for
                    participation by a student athlete are established by
                    an intercollegiate athletic association; and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) does not include a recreational,
                    intramural, or club sport.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 111. STUDENT ATHLETE REPRESENTATION ON INTERCOLLEGIATE
                  ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION GOVERNING BOARDS.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    (a) In General.--Not less than \1/3\ of the membership and
    voting power of any board of directors or other governing board, or
    committees with authority to establish and enforce rules or bylaws
    shall be comprised of current student athletes or former student
    athletes who have graduated from their institution during the preceding
    10-year period.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (b) Limitation.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) A former student athlete who is a current or
            former employee of an intercollegiate athletic association, a
            conference, or a member institution may not count towards the
            student athlete membership requirement pursuant to subsection
            (a); and</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) no member of any such board or committee shall
            vote on any matter that presents a conflict of interest for
            such member.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 112. TRANSFER PROTECTIONS.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    An institution, a conference, an intercollegiate athletic
    association, or any representative of such entity shall permit a
    student athlete to transfer from one institution to another
    institution--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) once without losing or delaying eligibility to
            participate in intercollegiate sports;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) except as provided in paragraph (3), a second
            time with a loss of eligibility to participate in
            intercollegiate sports during the first academic year following
            the transfer; and</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) additionally, without losing or delaying
            eligibility to participate in intercollegiate sports, upon--
            </DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) discontinuation of a sport in which
                    the student athlete competes;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) the departure of the head coach of the
                    student athlete's varsity sports team;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (C) sexual assault or harassment of the
                    student athlete by an individual associated with the
                    student athlete's varsity sports team; or</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (D) the student athlete pursuing a
                    graduate degree.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 113. ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERCOLLEGIATE
                  SPORTS.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    (a) In General.--An individual is eligible to participate
    on a varsity sports team or in intercollegiate athletic competition if
    the individual--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) is a student athlete;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) meets uniform academic standards established
            by the relevant intercollegiate athletic association,
            conference, or institution;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) is not a professional athlete; and</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (4) complies with established rules that restrict
            eligibility for violations of State or Federal law.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (b) Years of Eligibility.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the
            student athlete is eligible to compete in intercollegiate
            athletic competition for a maximum of 5 calendar years
            beginning at the start of the regular academic year immediately
            following, whichever occurs first--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) the student athlete's 19th
                    birthday;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) the student athlete's actual high
                    school graduation date;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (C) the student athlete's expected high
                    school graduation date based on the first year of high
                    school enrollment; or</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (D) the date a student athlete enrolls
                    full time at an institution.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) Exceptions.--Paragraph (1) does not apply
            during a period of absence for any of the following:</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) Reasons of pregnancy.</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) Religious mission.</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (C) Active-duty military
                    service.</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (D) Other periods of absence adopted by
                    rule or bylaw by an intercollegiate athletic
                    association that apply uniformly to all student
                    athletes.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (c) Restrictions on Eligibility.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) In general.--An intercollegiate athletic
            association or a conference may restrict a student athlete's
            eligibility to participate in intercollegiate sports if the
            student athlete--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) used an illegal or performance
                    enhancing drug; or</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) participated in sports wagering
                    activities.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) Code of conduct.--An institution may restrict
            a student athlete's eligibility to participate in
            intercollegiate sports if the student athlete violated the
            institution's code of conduct that applies to all
            students.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (d) Clarification on Prize Money.--For purposes of
    subsection (a)(3), a student athlete who competes in a sport other than
    football or basketball shall not be considered a professional athlete
    based solely on the amount of prize money the student athlete received
    based on place finish or performance in an athletic event before or
    after enrollment in an institution, so long as--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) the prize money was provided only by the
            sponsor of the athletics event; and</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) the sponsor of the athletics event is not an
            institution, employee of an institution, volunteer of an
            institution, collective, or an associated entity.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (e) Transfer From 2-Year Institution.--No intercollegiate
    athletic association or conference shall require a student athlete who
    transfers from a 2-year institution to a 4-year institution to meet
    additional or more stringent academic standards than the academic
    standards required for student athletes who transfer from a 4-year
    institution.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall
    be construed to restrict the ability of an institution to--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) require student athletes to meet or maintain
            academic standards that are in addition to, or more stringent
            than, the standards described in subsection (a) if such
            standards are required of all students enrolled at the
            institution;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) discipline or sanction a student athlete for
            violating a rule, regulation, or code of conduct that applies
            to all students enrolled at the institution; or</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) discipline or sanction a student athlete for
            violating a rule, regulation, or a code of conduct that applies
            to all student athletes participating in intercollegiate
            athletic competition at that institution.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 114. PROHIBITED COMPENSATION AND AGREEMENTS.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    (a) Certain Agreements and Compensation Prohibited.--An
    institution, an employee of an institution, a volunteer of an
    institution, a conference, an employee of a conference, or an
    associated entity shall not--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) except as provided in subsection (b), arrange,
            provide, offer, or permit, directly or indirectly, compensation
            in an amount that would circumvent or result in the institution
            exceeding the revenue share cap to--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) a student athlete, a group of student
                    athletes, or their family members; or</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) a prospective student athlete, a group
                    of prospective student athletes, or their family
                    members; or</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) enter into a name, image, and likeness
            agreement with a student athlete or prospective student athlete
            that is not--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) for a valid business purpose;
                    and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) commensurate with compensation paid to
                    individuals with a similar profile, reputation, or
                    notability who are not student athletes or prospective
                    student athletes.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (b) Personal Athletic and Education Benefits Permitted.--
    An intercollegiate athletic association, a conference, an institution,
    or any representative thereof shall not, pursuant to the Injunctive
    Relief Settlement Agreement approved by the court in ``In Re College
    Athlete NIL Legislation'', No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025),
    restrict the ability of a student athlete enrolled at an institution to
    receive compensation from an intercollegiate athletic association, an
    institution, a conference, or an associated entity, for personal
    benefits related to education or intercollegiate athletics, provided
    they are--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) reasonable costs of transportation and
            temporary lodging for family members of a student athlete while
            the student athlete is experiencing a documented physical or
            mental health concern or participating in an intercollegiate
            athletic competition;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) reasonable costs for meals, shelter, medical
            coverage, and medical expenses not provided or covered by the
            institution; and</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) reasonable education-related financial
            benefits, such as institution fees, books, or other incidental
            educational expenses that are not otherwise provided by the
            institution.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (c) Valid Business Purpose.--A name, image, and likeness
    agreement with a student athlete shall be for a valid business
    purpose.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (d) Institution Defined.--In this section, the term
    ``institution'' means--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) an institution of higher education, as that
            term is defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of
            1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001); and</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) an institution that is a party to, through
            membership in a conference or otherwise, ``In Re College
            Athlete NIL Legislation'', No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6,
            2025), or has opted in to the Injunctive Relief Settlement in
            that case.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 115. EXTENSION OF THE REVENUE SHARE CAP.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    (a) In General.--Upon expiration or termination of the
    Injunctive Relief Settlement Agreement approved by the court in ``In Re
    College Athlete NIL Legislation'', No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6,
    2025), the revenue share cap shall continue to apply with respect to
    section 114(a), including any adjustments specified in subsection
    (b).</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (b) Adjustment of Revenue Share Cap.--Upon expiration of
    the Injunctive Relief Settlement Agreement approved by the court in
    ``In Re College Athlete NIL Legislation'', No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal.
    June 6, 2025), the annual revenue share cap shall be adjusted annually
    for inflation by the percent increase, if any, in the Consumer Price
    Index for All-Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor
    Statistics of the Department of Labor for the most recent 12-month
    period for which applicable data is available.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 116. COMMISSION ON THE FUTURE OF COLLEGE
                  ATHLETICS.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    (a) Commission on the Future of College Athletics.--
    </DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) In general.--There is established within the
            legislative branch a commission, to be known as the
            ``Congressional Commission on the Future of College Athletics''
            (referred to in this section as the ``Commission''), for the
            purpose of providing recommendations on the future of college
            athletics.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) Purpose.--The purpose of the commission is to
            provide recommendations for the future of college
            athletics.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (b) Membership.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) Composition.--Subject to paragraph (2), the
            Commission shall be composed of 20 members, of whom--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) 4 members shall be appointed by the
                    chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
                    Transportation, of which at least 1 member shall be a
                    student athlete or former student athlete;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) 4 members shall be appointed by the
                    ranking member of the Committee on Commerce, Science,
                    and Transportation of the Senate, of which at least 1
                    member shall be a student athlete or former student
                    athlete;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (C) 4 members shall be appointed by the
                    chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the
                    House of Representatives, of which at least 1 member
                    shall be a student athlete or former student
                    athlete;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (D) 4 members shall be appointed by the
                    ranking member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce
                    of the House of Representatives, of which at least 1
                    member shall be a student athlete or former student
                    athlete;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (E) 1 current or former student athlete
                    appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, in
                    consultation with the chair of the Committee on
                    Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
                    Senate;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (F) 1 current or former student athlete
                    appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, in
                    consultation with the ranking member of the Committee
                    on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
                    Senate;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (G) 1 current or former student athlete
                    appointed by Speaker of the House of Representatives,
                    in consultation with the chair of the Committee on
                    Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives;
                    and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (H) 1 current or former student athlete
                    appointed by the minority leader of the House of
                    Representatives, in consultation with the ranking
                    member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the
                    House of Representatives.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) Requirements.--Members of the Commission shall
            be individuals who are nationally recognized for expertise,
            knowledge, or experience in matters related to college
            athletics, university administration, sports law, labor law,
            athlete welfare, sports economics, health care, or sports
            medicine.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) Co-chairs, executive director, and staff.--
            </DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) Co-chairs.--The Commission shall have
                    2 co-chairs, of whom--</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (i) 1 co-chair shall be a member
                            selected by the majority party; and</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (ii) 1 co-chair shall be a member
                            selected by the minority party.</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) Executive director and staff.--The co-
                    chairs of the Commission shall appoint an executive
                    director of the Commission, and such staff as
                    appropriate, with compensation.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (c) Authority.--The Commission may, for the purpose of
    carrying out the duties of the Commission--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) hold such hearings and sit and act at such
            times and places, take such testimony, receive such evidence,
            and administer such oaths; and</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) require, by subpoena issued upon a majority
            vote of the Commission, the attendance and testimony of such
            witnesses and the production of such books, records,
            correspondence, memoranda, papers, and documents as the
            Commission considers relevant to the purpose of the
            Commission.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (d) Duties.--The duties of the Commission are as
    follows:</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) To study and develop recommendations
            regarding--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) an alternative structure for providing
                    compensation for student athletes, including
                    consideration of the positive and negative implications
                    associated with a collective bargaining structure and
                    employment status for student athletes;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) protecting and preserving athletic
                    opportunities for student athletes, particularly in
                    non-revenue generating, women's, and Olympic sports
                    intercollegiate athletic programs;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (C) whether any intercollegiate sport
                    should be subject to spending or cost
                    limitations;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (D) whether to eliminate, extend, or
                    change the Pool Benefits Limit set forth in the
                    Injunctive Relief Settlement Agreement as approved or
                    amended by the court in ``In Re College Athlete NIL
                    Legislation'', No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6,
                    2025);</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (E) compliance with endorsement contract
                    reporting requirements established by an athletic
                    association or a conference;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (F) adequacy of health and safety
                    standards established pursuant to this title and
                    compliance with those standards by
                    institutions;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (G) the adequacy of the athlete agent
                    provisions of this title;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (H) the extent to which student athletes
                    experience abuse or mistreatment and measures that
                    could protect student athletes from such abuse or
                    mistreatment;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (I) the benefits of the intercollegiate
                    athletic system, including consideration of how the
                    balance of education and athletics impacts the life
                    skills, educational opportunities, leadership skills,
                    character development, and personal growth of the
                    student athlete; and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (J) any other recommendations regarding
                    intercollegiate athletics.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) To draft a joint resolution of approval under
            subsection (i) that provides for implementation of the
            Commission's recommendation on whether to eliminate, raise, or
            lower the Pool Benefits Limit in section 114(a).</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) Not later than 5 years after the date of the
            enactment of this Act, to submit a report on the activities of
            the Commission, including recommendations for such legislative
            action as the Commission considers appropriate to--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science,
                    and Transportation of the Senate;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) the Committee on Energy and Commerce
                    of the House of Representatives; and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (C) the President.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (e) Quorum.--Ten members of the Commission, of which 3
    members shall be current or former student athletes, shall constitute a
    quorum.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (f) Initial Meeting.--The Commission shall hold an initial
    meeting not later than 30 days after the date on which a sufficient
    number of members have been appointed under subsection (b) to
    constitute a quorum pursuant to subsection (e).</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (g) Public Hearings.--The Commission shall hold 1 or more
    public hearings.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (h) Status.--The Commission is not an agency (as defined
    in section 551 of title 5, United States Code).</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (i) Joint Resolution.--Any Member of Congress may
    introduce a joint resolution for consideration to adopt any of the
    recommendations of the Commission, in whole or in part, including any
    recommendations from the Commission on whether to eliminate, raise, or
    lower the Pool Benefits Limit.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (j) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate 90 days
    after the date on which the Commission submits the report required by
    this section.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (k) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
    to be appropriated to the Commission such sums as may be necessary in
    any fiscal year, half of which shall be derived from the applicable
    account of the House of Representatives and half of which shall be
    derived from the contingent fund of the Senate.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 117. RECRUITMENT AND TAMPERING.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    An intercollegiate athletic association may enforce
    provisions on recruitment and tampering of student athletes or
    prospective student athletes before and during their eligibility for
    intercollegiate athletic competition that--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) prohibit an institution, an employee of an
            institution, a conference, an employee of a conference, or an
            associated entity from contacting a student athlete who is
            enrolled at or committed to another institution for the purpose
            of recruiting them to transfer to or enroll at an institution
            except for during the 5 consecutive weeks starting 7 days after
            the last intercollegiate athletic competition in an academic
            year in the intercollegiate sport in which the student athlete
            competes and in which student athletes from the same
            intercollegiate athletic association competed;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) prohibit an athlete agent from contacting an
            institution, employee of an institution, or institution
            associated on behalf of a student athlete who is enrolled at or
            committed to another institution for the purpose of
            facilitating the transfer or enrollment of the student athlete
            at the contacted institution except for during the 5
            consecutive weeks starting 7 days after the last
            intercollegiate athletic competition in an academic year in the
            intercollegiate sport in which the student athlete competes and
            in which student athletes from the same intercollegiate
            athletic association competed;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) prohibit an institution, an employee of an
            institution, a conference, an employee of a conference, an
            associated entity, or an athlete agent from recruiting or
            contacting a student athlete or prospective student athlete who
            has not affirmatively opted in to receive such recruitment or
            contact; or</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (4) prohibit an institution, an employee of an
            institution, a volunteer of an institution, an associated
            entity, an athlete agent, a conference, an employee of a
            conference, or a volunteer of a conference from inducing a
            student athlete to enroll at an institution or transfer to an
            institution by offering compensation to a student athlete in
            violation of paragraphs (1), (2), or (3).</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 118. LIMITATION ON LIABILITY.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    (a) In General.--It shall not be unlawful under the
    antitrust laws for an intercollegiate athletic association, a
    conference, or an institution to enforce or comply with, including
    through rules or bylaws--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) section 114;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) section 115;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) section 113;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (4) sections 101(a)(3) and 101(b)(1) and
            subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 101(b)(2);</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (5) section 117;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (6) section 112;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (7) rules, bylaws, or requirements of an
            intercollegiate athletic association that determine whether a
            specific institution is selected to participate in a
            championship or tournament if the process for selecting
            participants is not entitled to antitrust exemption under this
            subsection;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (8) section 103; and</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (9) section 110.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (b) Sanctions by an Intercollegiate Athletic
    Association.--It shall not be unlawful under the antitrust laws for an
    intercollegiate athletic association to, including through rules or
    bylaws--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) impose a fine against an institution, an
            employee, or volunteer of an institution, a conference, an
            employee of a conference, or an associated entity for a
            violation of sections 110, 112, 113, 114, or 115;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) restrict an institution, employee or volunteer
            of an institution, a conference, or an employee of a
            conference, from participation in intercollegiate athletic
            competition, including championships or tournaments, for a
            violation of sections 110, 112, 113, 114, or 115;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) restrict the eligibility of a student athlete
            who--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) is not eligible to participate in
                    intercollegiate athletic competition or participate on
                    a varsity sports team under section 113;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) has transferred to an institution in a
                    manner that does not comply with section 112;
                    or</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (C) has received compensation in
                    contravention of section 114 or section 115;
                    or</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (4) decertify an athlete agent for violations of
            section 103 or the amendments made by section 102.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (c) Requirements for an Intercollegiate Athletic
    Association.--An intercollegiate athletic association shall not be
    entitled to the antitrust exemptions set forth in subsections (a) and
    (b) unless the intercollegiate athletic association has established
    rules, bylaws, or other regulations implementing paragraphs (1) through
    (9) of subsection (a) and paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection
    (b).</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 119. PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    (a) Violations.--A person may file a civil action in an
    appropriate district court of the United States or in an appropriate
    State court only for a violation of the following:</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) Subsections (a) and (c) of section
            101.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) Section 104.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) Section 105.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (4) Section 106.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (5) Section 107.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (6) Section 108.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (7) Section 109.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (8) Section 111.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (9) Section 112, only to the extent the claim--
            </DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) alleges an intercollegiate athletic
                    association, a conference, or an institution has not
                    complied with the transfer standard set forth in
                    section 112;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) is filed against a Division I,
                    Division II, or Division III institution, as defined by
                    bylaw 20 of the National Collegiate Athletic
                    Association as of the date of the enactment of this
                    Act, or an intercollegiate athletic association or a
                    conference comprised of any such institutions;
                    and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (C) is filed in an appropriate district
                    court of the United States.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (10) Section 113, only to the extent the claim--
            </DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) alleges an intercollegiate athletic
                    association, a conference, or an institution has not
                    complied with the eligibility standard set forth in
                    section 113;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) is filed against a Division I,
                    Division II, or Division III institution, as defined by
                    bylaw 20 of the National Collegiate Athletic
                    Association as of the date of the enactment of this
                    Act, or an intercollegiate athletic association or a
                    conference comprised of any such institutions;
                    and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (C) is filed in an appropriate district
                    court of the United States.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (11) Section 114(b).</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (b) Limitation.--The protection from antitrust liability
    set forth in section 118 shall not be limited by a private right of
    action filed under subsection (a).</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (c) Relief.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) In general.--In a civil action brought under
            subsection (a) in which the plaintiff prevails, the court may
            award the plaintiff--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) actual damages; and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) any other relief, including equitable
                    relief or declaratory relief, that the court determines
                    appropriate.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) Attorney's fees and costs.--In a civil action
            brought under subsection (a), the court may, in its discretion,
            award reasonable attorney's fees and litigation costs to the
            prevailing party.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (d) Limitation on Pre-Dispute Agreements and Waivers.--
    </DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) Pre-dispute arbitration agreement.--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other
                    provision of law, no intercollegiate athletic
                    association, conference, or institution shall include a
                    pre-dispute arbitration agreement (as defined in
                    section 401 of title 9, United States Code) in an
                    agreement with a student athlete regarding a provision
                    of this title or an amendment made by this
                    title.</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) Treatment of claim.--If a claim for a
                    violation of this title arises, a student athlete has
                    the option to arbitrate the dispute if the
                    intercollegiate athletic association, conference, or
                    institution agrees to the arbitration.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) Pre-dispute joint-action waiver.--
            Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no intercollegiate
            athletic association or conference shall enforce a pre-dispute
            joint-action waiver (as defined in section 401 of title 9,
            United States Code) against a student athlete or group of
            student athletes with respect to a dispute arising under this
            title or an amendment made to this title, so long as there are
            not fewer than 7 named plaintiffs.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (e) Disputes Arising From Enforcement of Injunctive Relief
    Settlement.--Notwithstanding subsection (d)--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) a claim made by any entity or individual
            subject to the injunctive relief provisions in ``In Re College
            Athlete NIL Legislation'', No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6,
            2025), regarding whether a name, image, or likeness agreement
            is for a valid business purpose shall follow the procedure set
            forth in article 6, section 2, of such settlement;
            and</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) in any dispute regarding whether an
            institution, an employee of an institution, a volunteer of an
            institution, a conference, an employee of a conference, or an
            associated entity complied with paragraph (1) or (2) of section
            114(a), an institution, an employee of an institution, a
            volunteer of an institution, a conference, an employee of a
            conference, or an associated entity shall follow the procedure
            set forth in article 6, section 2 of ``In Re College Athlete
            NIL Legislation'', No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6,
            2025).</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (f) Notice Requirement for Civil Actions.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) In general.--A civil action may be brought by
            a person under this section only if, prior to filing such
            action, the plaintiff provides to the defendant 60 days written
            notice identifying the specific provisions set forth in
            subsection (a) that the plaintiff alleges have been or are
            being violated.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) Effect of cure.--In the event a cure is
            possible, if, within the 60-day period under paragraph (1), the
            defendant cures the violation and provides the plaintiff with
            an express written statement that the violation has been cured
            and no such further violation shall occur, an action shall not
            be permitted.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 120. WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    (a) In General.--No institution, conference, or
    intercollegiate athletic association, or any agent thereof, may
    discharge, demote, suspend, withdraw or reduce benefits from, threaten,
    harass, or in any other manner discriminate against an employee, a
    student athlete, a prospective student athlete, a former student
    athlete, a contractor, a subcontractor, a service provider, or an agent
    of an institution, a conference, or an intercollegiate athletic
    association because of any lawful act done by such individual--
    </DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) to provide information to, or cause
            information to be provided to, an agency of the Federal
            Government, an agency of State government, Congress, or any law
            enforcement agency regarding any act or omission that such
            individual reasonably believes to be a violation of this title;
            or</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) to file, cause to be filed, testify,
            participate in, or otherwise assist in a proceeding filed or
            about to be filed relating to an alleged violation of this
            title.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (b) Enforcement Action.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) In general.--An individual aggrieved by a
            violation of subsection (a) may bring an action in the
            appropriate district court of the United States for the relief
            set forth in paragraph (2).</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) Relief.--An individual prevailing in any
            action under paragraph (1) may obtain--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) compensatory damages and the cost of
                    the action, including reasonable attorney's fees and
                    other litigation costs reasonably incurred;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) in addition to any other relief
                    available at law, equitable relief that may be
                    necessary or appropriate to correct a violation of
                    subsection (a) or make the individual whole
                    again;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (C) temporary relief while the case is
                    pending; and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (D) if the prevailing individual is an
                    employee--</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (i) reinstatement with the same
                            seniority status that the individual would have
                            had, but for the discrimination; and</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    (ii) backpay otherwise owed to the
                            individual, with interest.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (c) Rights Retained by Individual.--Nothing in this
    section shall be construed to diminish the rights, privileges, or
    remedies of any individual under any Federal or State law, or under any
    labor contract.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (d) Nonenforceability of Certain Provisions Waiving Rights
    and Remedies or Requiring Arbitration of Disputes.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) Waiver of rights and remedies.--The rights and
            remedies provided for in this section may not be waived by any
            agreement, policy form, condition of employment, or athletic
            agreement or participation.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) Predispute arbitration agreements.--No
            predispute arbitration agreement shall be valid or enforceable
            if the agreement requires arbitration of a dispute arising
            under this section.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 121. RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING LAW.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    (a) In General.--No State or political subdivision of a
    State may adopt, maintain, enforce, or continue in effect any law,
    regulation, rule, requirement, or standard that--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) conflicts with any provision of this title
            that would prevent compliance with this title; or</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) governs, regulates, or invalidates policies or
            rules of an institution, a conference, or an intercollegiate
            athletic association that regulates--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) the compensation to a student athlete
                    or prospective student athlete for the use of their
                    name, image, or likeness, except as necessary to comply
                    with this title;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) transfers of student athletes between
                    institutions; or</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (C) the eligibility of a student athlete
                    to participate in intercollegiate athletics.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (b) Preservation of State Laws.--The following State laws,
    rules, regulations, or requirements, or common law rights or remedies
    shall not be preempted, displaced, or supplanted except to the extent
    that such law rule, regulation, requirement, or common law right or
    remedy conflicts with subsection (a):</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) Uniform Athlete Agent Acts.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) Civil rights laws.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) Tort law.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (4) Criminal law.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (5) Any law, whether statutory or common law, that
            gives rise to a cause of action for personal injury, wrongful
            death, property damage, sexual assault, injury, or harassment,
            or other financial, physical, reputational, or psychological
            injury based in negligence, strict liability, products
            liability, or failure to warn.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (6) Laws that relate to student or campus
            safety.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (7) Fraud.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (8) Privacy or data breach.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (9) Contract law.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (10) Trademark law.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (11) Copyright law.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (12) Consumer protection law.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (c) Rules of Construction.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) Antitrust laws.--To the extent liability for
            violations of the antitrust laws is not limited by this title,
            subsection (a) shall not be construed to preempt, displace, or
            supplant the antitrust laws.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) Federal trademark and copyright law.--Nothing
            in this title or the amendments made by this title may be
            construed to override, modify, or amend the applicability of
            Federal trademark or copyright law.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 122. NEUTRALITY ON EMPLOYEE OR NON-EMPLOYEE
                  STATUS.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    This title is neutral on, and does nothing to alter,
    employee or non-employee status for student athletes.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 123. APPLICABILITY.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    This title, and the amendments made by this title, shall
    apply with respect to any action or proceeding that is pending on or
    commenced on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 124. SEVERABILITY.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    If any provision of this title, or an amendment made by
    this title, is determined to be unenforceable or invalid, the remaining
    provisions of this title and the amendments made by this title shall
    not be affected.</DELETED>

                <DELETED>TITLE II--SPORTS BROADCASTING</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    (a) References to Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.--In
    this Act, the term ``Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961'' means the Act of
    September 30, 1961 (15 U.S.C. 1291 et seq.).</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (b) Amendments to Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.--The
    Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 is amended--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) by redesignating sections 5 and 6 (15 U.S.C.
            1295, 1291 note) as sections 8 and 9, respectively;
            and</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) in section 8, as so redesignated--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) by striking ``As used in this Act,
                    `persons' means'' and inserting the following: ``As
                    used in this Act:''</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(12) Persons.--The term `persons'
            means'';</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) by inserting before paragraph (12), as
                    so designated, the following:</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(1) Collective media rights revenue.--The term
            `collective media rights revenue' means revenue derived from
            the sale or transfer of the media rights of the member
            institutions and member conferences of the covered entity
            resulting from the joint agreement described in section
            5.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(2) Conference.--The term `conference' means any
            organization that is not an intercollegiate athletic
            association and that--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(A) has 2 or more institutions as
                    members; and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(B) arranges championships for
                    intercollegiate athletic competitions or sets rules for
                    intercollegiate athletic competitions.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(3) Covered entity.--The term `covered entity'
            means the entity formed by a joint agreement of institutions or
            conferences described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of section
            5(b)(1) that meets each of the requirements under section
            5.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(4) Grant-in-aid.--The term `grant-in-aid'--
            </DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(A) means a scholarship, grant, stipend,
                    or other form of financial assistance, including the
                    provision of tuition, room, board, books, or funds for
                    fees or personal expenses, that--</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    ``(i) is paid or provided by an
                            institution to a student for the undergraduate
                            or graduate course of study of the student;
                            and</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    ``(ii) is in an amount that does
                            not exceed the cost of attendance for the
                            student at the institution; and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(B) does not include compensation paid
                    to an individual who is a student athlete or a former
                    student athlete.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(5) Institution.--The term `institution' has the
            meaning given the term `institution of higher education' in
            section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
            1001).</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(6) Intercollegiate athletic association.--The
            term `intercollegiate athletic association'--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(A) means any organization, not-for-
                    profit corporation, association, or other group
                    organized in the United States that--</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    ``(i) is composed of 2 or more
                            institutions or conferences that--</DELETED>
                                    <DELETED>    ``(I) are located in
                                    different States; or</DELETED>
                                    <DELETED>    ``(II) participate in
                                    intercollegiate athletic competitions
                                    in more than 1 State;</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    ``(ii) sponsors or arranges
                            intercollegiate athletic competitions between
                            institutions;</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    ``(iii) sets common rules,
                            standards, procedures, or guidelines for the
                            administration of intercollegiate athletic
                            competition; and</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    ``(iv) is not a
                            conference;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(B) includes--</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    ``(i) the National Collegiate
                            Athletic Association; and</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    ``(ii) any other national
                            intercollegiate athletic association;
                            and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(C) does not include a corporation,
                    association, or other group affiliated with
                    professional athletic competition.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(7) Intercollegiate athletic competition.--The
            term `intercollegiate athletic competition' means any varsity
            intercollegiate sport contest, game, meet, match, tournament,
            regatta, or other intercollegiate sport event in which student
            athletes or varsity sports teams compete.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(8) Intercollegiate football.--The term
            `intercollegiate football' means the intercollegiate sport of
            football.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(9) Intercollegiate sport.--The term
            `intercollegiate sport'--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(A) means a sport played at the
                    intercollegiate level, administered by an athletic
                    department, between institutions for which eligibility
                    requirements for participation by a student athlete are
                    established by an interstate intercollegiate athletic
                    association; and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(B) does not include a recreational,
                    intramural, or club sport.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(10) Member conference.--The term `member
            conference', with respect to the covered entity, means a
            conference that is a member of the covered entity.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(11) Member institution.--The term `member
            institution', with respect to the covered entity, means an
            institution that is a member of the covered entity.'';
            and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (C) by inserting after paragraph (12), as
                    so redesignated, the following:</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(13) Student athlete.--The term `student
            athlete' means an individual who--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(A) is enrolled as a full-time student
                    at an institution;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(B) makes satisfactory progress towards
                    completing a degree; and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(C) participates in intercollegiate
                    athletic competitions or competes for a varsity sports
                    team as part of the institution's educational,
                    developmental, or extracurricular programs.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(14) Top 5 historic opponents in intercollegiate
            football.--The term `top 5 historic opponents in
            intercollegiate football', with respect to an institution,
            means the 5 other institutions against which the institution
            has played the most intercollegiate athletic competitions
            within intercollegiate football.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(15) Top 10 historic opponents in
            intercollegiate football.--The term `top 10 historic opponents
            in intercollegiate football', with respect to an institution,
            means the 10 other institutions against which the institution
            has played the most intercollegiate athletic competitions
            within intercollegiate football.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(16) Traditional rivalry.--The term `traditional
            rivalry' means an intercollegiate athletic competition within
            intercollegiate football that is between varsity sports teams
            of 2 institutions that--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(A) are both members of the covered
                    entity;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(B) are not members of the same
                    conference; and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(C) rank among each other's top 10
                    historic opponents in intercollegiate
                    football.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(17) Varsity sports team.--The term `varsity
            sports team' means a team composed of student athletes that is
            organized by an institution for the purpose of intercollegiate
            athletic competitions.''.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 202. LIMITATION ON LIABILITY FOR TRANSMISSION OF
                  COLLEGIATE SPORTS COMPETITIONS.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    (a) In General.--Section 1 of the Sports Broadcasting Act
    of 1961 (15 U.S.C. 1291) is amended--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) by striking ``That the'' and inserting the
            following:</DELETED>

    <DELETED>``SECTION 1. EXEMPTION OF CERTAIN AGREEMENTS FROM ANTITRUST
                  LAWS.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    ``(a) Professional Sports.--The''; and</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    ``(b) College Sports.--The antitrust laws, as defined in
    subsection (a), shall not apply to any joint agreement, by or among
    institutions engaging in or conducting organized intercollegiate
    sports, or conferences that have such institutions as members, to form
    and operate a covered entity that complies with and enforces the
    requirements of section 5 and sells or otherwise transfers to a third
    party all or any part of the rights of the institutions or conferences
    in the sponsored telecasting of the intercollegiate athletic
    competitions engaged in or conducted by the institutions or
    conferences.''.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--The Sports
    Broadcasting Act of 1961 is amended--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) in section 2 (15 U.S.C. 1292)--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) by striking ``Section 1'' and
                    inserting ``Section 1(a)''; and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) by striking ``in section 1'' and
                    inserting ``in section 1(a)'';</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) in section 3 (15 U.S.C. 1293), by striking
            ``section 1'' each place it appears and inserting ``section
            1(a)''; and</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) in section 4 (15 U.S.C. 1294), by striking
            ``section 1'' and inserting ``section 1(a)''.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 203. REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTITIES SELLING MEDIA
                  RIGHTS.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, as amended by section
    201(b)(1) of this Act, is amended by inserting after section 4 (15
    U.S.C. 1294) the following:</DELETED>

    <DELETED>``SEC. 5. REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTITIES SELLING MEDIA
                  RIGHTS.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    ``(a) Condition on Antitrust Exemption.--Section 1(b)
    shall not apply to any joint agreement entered into by institutions or
    conferences to form the covered entity unless the covered entity
    complies with the requirements under this section and section
    6.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    ``(b) Membership of the Covered Entity.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(1) Eligible membership.--A joint agreement to
            form the covered entity shall be comprised of a voluntary
            association of institutions or conferences that includes, at a
            minimum, as of the date on which the joint agreement is entered
            into, not less than 75 percent of the institutions
            participating in the Football Bowl Subdivision, as defined by
            Bylaw 20.9.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic
            Association.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(2) Invitation requirement.--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--The covered entity
                    shall offer membership on fair and nondiscriminatory
                    terms to each conference and each institution that is
                    in Division I, as defined by Bylaw 20.9 of the National
                    Collegiate Athletic Association as of the date of
                    enactment of the Protect College Sports Act of
                    2026.</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(B) Optional participation.--No
                    conference or institution shall be required to join the
                    covered entity or accept an offer under subparagraph
                    (A), but no conference or institution eligible for
                    membership under subparagraph (A) may be refused an
                    invitation to join the covered entity.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    ``(c) Voting Rights.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(A) Votes of conferences and
                    institutions.--Subject to subparagraph (C), the covered
                    entity shall--</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    ``(i) in the bylaws of the covered
                            entity--</DELETED>
                                    <DELETED>    ``(I) provide that each
                                    member conference or member institution
                                    has 1 vote on each type of decision or
                                    determination described in paragraph
                                    (2); and</DELETED>
                                    <DELETED>    ``(II) specify the minimum
                                    number of votes required for each type
                                    of decision or determination described
                                    in paragraph (2); and</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    ``(ii) require the bylaws to be
                            adopted unanimously by the member conferences
                            and member institutions.</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(B) Votes of student athletes.--The
                    covered entity shall--</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    ``(i) for purposes of decisions
                            and determinations described in paragraph
                            (2)(C), designate not fewer than 10 individuals
                            who, as of the date of designation, are student
                            athletes or were student athletes during the
                            preceding 10-year period; and</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    ``(ii) ensure that each individual
                            designated under clause (i) has 1 vote on a
                            decision or determination described in
                            paragraph (2)(C).</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(C) Non-voting member conferences.--If a
                    conference and 1 or more of the institutions of the
                    conference are members of the covered entity, the
                    conference shall be a non-voting member of the covered
                    entity.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(2) Voting thresholds.--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(A) Major decisions.--A major decision,
                    as defined by the bylaws of the covered entity, shall
                    require a vote totaling not less than \2/3\ of the
                    member conferences or member institutions exercising
                    their voting rights.</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(B) Non-major decisions.--A non-major
                    decision, as defined by the bylaws of the covered
                    entity, shall require a vote totaling not less than a
                    majority of the member conferences or member
                    institutions exercising their voting rights.</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(C) Revenue distributions or changes to
                    voting allocations.--A determination regarding the
                    allocation of collective media rights revenue or a
                    decision to change a voting threshold described in this
                    paragraph shall require a unanimous vote of the member
                    conferences, member institutions, or current or former
                    student athletes exercising their voting
                    rights.</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(D) Media rights requirement.--A
                    determination of which media rights shall be
                    contributed to the covered entity pursuant to
                    subsection (f) shall require a unanimous vote of the
                    member conferences or member institutions exercising
                    their voting rights.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    ``(d) Revenue Allocation Formula.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(1) Method.--Not less frequently than once each
            academic year, the covered entity shall distribute the
            collective media rights revenue among member conferences and
            member institutions--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(A) according to the allocation of
                    collective media rights revenue most recently
                    determined in accordance with subsection (c)(2)(C);
                    and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(B) in accordance with the requirements
                    of this subsection.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(2) Requirements.--The distribution of
            collective media rights revenue under paragraph (1) shall--
            </DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(A) ensure that--</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    ``(i) each member conference or
                            member institution receives a minimum
                            distribution of collective media rights
                            revenue, the amount of which shall be
                            established under a bylaw adopted in accordance
                            with subsection (c)(2)(C); and</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    ``(ii) each member institution
                            receives more collective media rights revenue
                            (excluding revenue from the College Football
                            Playoff) during each academic year than the
                            largest amount of collective media rights
                            revenue (excluding revenue from the College
                            Football Playoff) that the institution received
                            in any single academic year during the period
                            of academic year 2021-2022 through academic
                            year 2024-2025;</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(B) distribute not less than 15 percent
                    of the collective media rights revenue that remains
                    after compliance with subparagraph (A) equally among
                    all member institutions that received revenue from
                    intercollegiate athletic competitions within
                    intercollegiate football in the Football Bowl
                    Subdivision during academic year 2024-2025;
                    and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(C) distribute the collective media
                    rights revenue that remains after compliance with
                    subparagraphs (A) and (B) to member institutions based
                    on the performance of each institution during the
                    academic year with respect to the institution's
                    contribution to the collective media rights
                    revenue.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(3) Transfer of revenue.--Before distributing
            collective media rights revenue under paragraph (1), the
            covered entity shall, in accordance with section 106, transfer
            an amount of collective media rights revenue to the fund or
            program established under that section to ensure that the
            program or fund is adequately funded.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    ``(e) Protection of Women's and Olympic Sports.--
    </DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--Any member institution that
            receives collective media rights revenue shall, consistent with
            applicable intercollegiate athletic association rules, offer
            and maintain at least as many grant-in-aid opportunities and
            roster spots for non-revenue generating intercollegiate sports
            programs, including women's and Olympic intercollegiate sports
            programs, during each academic year as the member institution
            provided during the 2024-2025 academic year.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(2) Definition.--For purposes of this
            subsection, the term `non-revenue generating intercollegiate
            sports program' means an intercollegiate sports program at an
            institution for which, during an academic year, the revenues
            generated specifically attributable to that sports program are
            less than the direct and allocated operating expenses of that
            sports program.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    ``(f) Contribution of Media Rights.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(1) Condition of participation.--The covered
            entity shall require each member institution or member
            conference, as a condition of receiving a distribution of
            collective media rights revenue from the covered entity, to
            contribute to the covered entity, for sale by the covered
            entity, the media rights of the member institution or member
            conference, determined by a vote described in subsection
            (c)(2)(D), with the exception of the rights in the sponsored
            telecasting of the basketball tournaments organized by the
            National Collegiate Athletic Association.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(2) Exclusive authority.--The covered entity
            shall have the exclusive authority to negotiate, sell, license,
            sublicense, and otherwise transfer on a pooled basis media
            rights contributed under paragraph (1), with the exception of
            the rights in the sponsored telecasting of the basketball
            tournaments organized by the National Collegiate Athletic
            Association.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(3) Binding agreement.--The covered entity shall
            maintain a written agreement, binding on all member
            institutions or member conferences, that governs the collection
            and distribution of collective media rights revenue for the
            duration of the agreement.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    ``(g) Preservation of Conference Opponents and Traditional
    Rivalries.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(1) Conference opponents.--If, as of the date of
            enactment of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026, more than
            6 of the top 10 historic opponents in intercollegiate football
            of a member institution were intra-conference opponents of the
            member institution in intercollegiate football during the most
            recently completed season, the covered entity shall require the
            member institution to preserve, to the maximum extent
            practicable, intercollegiate athletic competitions within
            intercollegiate football amongst all of its current conference
            opponents as of that date of enactment.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(2) Traditional rivalries.--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--If, as of the date of
                    enactment of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026,
                    more than 2 of the top 10 historic opponents in
                    intercollegiate football of a member institution were
                    out-of-conference opponents of the member institution
                    in intercollegiate football during the most recently
                    completed season, the covered entity shall require the
                    member institution to play intercollegiate athletic
                    competitions within intercollegiate football that
                    constitute traditional rivalries, and ensure that--
                    </DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    ``(i) the member institution plays
                            not fewer than 2 intercollegiate athletic
                            competitions within intercollegiate football
                            that constitute a traditional rivalry every 4
                            years; and</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    ``(ii) the member institution
                            plays not less than 1 intercollegiate athletic
                            competition within intercollegiate football
                            each year with an institution that is in a
                            different conference and is one of the top 5
                            historic opponents in intercollegiate football
                            of the member institution.</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(B) Institutions with fewer than 4 out-
                    of-conference rivals.--If a member institution is
                    subject to the requirements under subparagraph (A), and
                    fewer than 4 of the top 10 historic opponents of the
                    member institution in intercollegiate football are
                    member institutions that belong to a different
                    conference, the member institution shall seek to comply
                    with clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A) to the
                    extent practicable.</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(C) Savings clause.--Nothing in this
                    paragraph shall be construed to affect the ability of a
                    member institution to engage in intercollegiate
                    athletic competitions within intercollegiate football
                    against any other member institution within the same
                    conference that was 1 of the top 10 historic opponents
                    in intercollegiate football of the member institution
                    as of the date of enactment of the Protect College
                    Sports Act of 2026.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(3) Periodic review; authority to modify
            requirements.--8 years after the date of enactment of the
            Protect College Sports Act of 2026, and periodically
            thereafter, but not more frequently than once every 4 years,
            the covered entity--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(A) may review the effects of the
                    requirements under this subsection on fan interest,
                    student athletes, media revenues, and preservation of
                    traditional rivalries and historic opponents;
                    and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(B) may modify the requirements under
                    this subsection.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    ``(h) Enforcement of the Act; Right To Cure.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(1) Private right of action.--Subject to
            paragraph (2), a person aggrieved by a violation of section
            1(b), this section, section 6, or section 7, including a party
            to a joint agreement to form the covered entity, may bring a
            civil action against the covered entity in an appropriate
            district court of the United States.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(2) Notice and opportunity to cure.--A person
            may only bring a civil action under paragraph (1) for a
            violation of section 1(b), this section, section 6, or section
            7 if--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(A) not later than 1 year before
                    bringing the civil action, the person provides to the
                    defendant specific notice of the violation and an
                    opportunity to cure the violation; and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(B) the defendant does not cure the
                    violation during the 1-year period beginning on the
                    date of the notice described in subparagraph
                    (A).</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    ``(i) Participation in Covered Entity Optional.--
    </DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--Nothing in this Act shall,
            under Federal or State law, establish or be construed to
            require, mandate, or encourage any institution or conference to
            join, participate in, or transfer any media rights to the
            covered entity or to create or give rise to any duty,
            obligation, or standard of care to take such action.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(2) Effect on liability.--Nothing in this Act,
            any amendments made by this Act, or a decision by an
            institution or conference to decline to join or participate in
            the covered entity may be used to support any claim, cause of
            action, or theory of liability under Federal or State law that
            would impose liability on an institution or conference or
            compel an institution or conference to join or participate in
            the covered entity.''.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 204. MARKET LEVEL BROADCAST ACCESS FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL
                  AND BASKETBALL.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 is amended by
    inserting after section 5 (as added by section 203 of this Act) the
    following:</DELETED>

    <DELETED>``SEC. 6. MARKET-LEVEL BROADCAST ACCESS FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL
                  AND BASKETBALL.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(1) Designated market area.--The term
            `designated market area' has the meaning given the term in
            section 122(j)(2)(C) of title 17, United States Code.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(2) Local designated market area.--</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--The term `local
                    designated market area' means an area that--</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    ``(i) consists of a designated
                            market area that includes the principal campus
                            of an institution that is a member of the
                            covered entity; and</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    ``(ii) at the election of the
                            member institution and the applicable network,
                            distributor, or licensee holding market-level
                            rights, may include not more than 1 additional
                            geographically adjacent designated market area,
                            or designated market area within the State in
                            which the principal campus of the member
                            institution is located, in which a substantial
                            portion of the student body, alumni, or in-
                            State resident population of the member
                            institution resides.</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    ``(B) Publication of list.--The Federal
                    Communications Commission shall--</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    ``(i) not later than 180 days
                            after the date of enactment of the Protect
                            College Sports Act of 2026, publish a list of
                            designated market areas described in
                            subparagraph (A); and</DELETED>
                            <DELETED>    ``(ii) maintain the list described
                            in clause (i) on a public website.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(3) Local outlet option.--The term `Local Outlet
            option' means the opportunity for not less than 1 outlet to
            carry a live intercollegiate athletic competition without
            charge to viewers within the local designated market area of a
            member institution that is participating in the
            competition.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    ``(b) Requirement of Local Outlet Option.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--As a condition of the exemption
            under section 1(b)(1), the covered entity shall make
            commercially available by purchase or license, on a non-
            exclusive basis, for each intercollegiate athletic competition
            in football or basketball, not less than 1 Local Outlet option
            in the local designated market area of each member institution
            participating in the competition.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in paragraph
            (1) shall be construed to require carriage of an
            intercollegiate athletic competition by more than 1 Local
            Outlet in a given designated market area.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(3) No effect on national media agreements.--
            Nothing in paragraph (1) shall limit the covered entity's
            ability to negotiate nationwide or regional media
            agreements.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(4) Requirement fulfillment.--A national rights
            holder may satisfy the requirement under paragraph (1) by
            making intercollegiate athletic competitions available to
            viewers in the applicable local designated market areas using
            an offering that the rights holder owns or is affiliated with
            that is freely available to viewers.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    ``(c) Good Faith Negotiation.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--Each covered entity, and any
            network, distributor, or licensee holding market-level rights
            or seeking Local Outlet option rights to intercollegiate
            athletic competitions described in subsection (b), shall
            negotiate in good faith to fulfill the requirement of that
            subsection.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(2) Enforcement.--The Federal Communications
            Commission shall have jurisdiction over complaints alleging a
            violation of paragraph (1).''.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 205. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN CONFERENCE MERGERS OR
                  ACQUISITION.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 is amended by
    inserting after section 6 (as added by section 204 of this Act) the
    following:</DELETED>

    <DELETED>``SEC. 7. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN CONFERENCE MERGERS AND
                  ACQUISITIONS.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    ``(a) In General.--It shall be unlawful under the
    antitrust laws, as defined in section 1(a), for any conference that
    reported more than $1,000,000,000 in revenue on its fiscal year 2025
    tax return to merge or consolidate with, or to acquire the assets,
    media rights (including media rights of an institution), or membership
    of, another conference, if as a result of the transaction, the number
    of institutions that are members of the conference would be less than
    the membership requirements under section 5(b)(1)(A).</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    ``(b) Defenses Not Applicable.--A transaction prohibited
    under subsection (a) may not be justified by efficiencies,
    procompetitive effects, or any other defense under the antitrust laws,
    as defined in section 1(a).</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    ``(c) Effect.--Any transaction consummated in violation of
    subsection (a) shall be void.''.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 206. AMENDMENTS TO INTERCOLLEGIATE AND INTERSCHOLASTIC
                  FOOTBALL CONTEST LIMITATIONS.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    Section 3 of the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 (15
    U.S.C. 1293) is amended--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
            </DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (A) by striking ``second Friday in
                    September'' and inserting ``first Friday in
                    September''; and</DELETED>
                    <DELETED>    (B) by striking ``second Saturday in
                    December'' and inserting ``third Saturday in
                    December'';</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the
            end;</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (3) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at
            the end and inserting ``, and''; and</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (4) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    ``(4) the season and any postseason, including
            championships, of such intercollegiate football contests
            conclude not later than January 8 of any year, to the extent
            practicable.''.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>SEC. 207. MEDIA RIGHTS UTILIZATION REQUIREMENT FOR COLLEGE
                  SPORTS OTHER THAN FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>    (a) Definitions.--In this section, the terms ``covered
    entity'', ``intercollegiate athletic competition'', ``member
    conference'', and ``member institution'' have the meanings given those
    terms in section 8 of the Sports Broadcasting Act, as redesignated by
    section 201(b)(1) of this Act.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (b) Requirement of Use.--A distributor to which any media
    rights for intercollegiate athletic competitions in a sport other than
    football or basketball are sold, licensed, or otherwise conveyed by the
    covered entity or its member institutions or member conferences after
    the date of enactment of this Act shall affirmatively use those rights
    by making the competitions reasonably available to the public not later
    than 1 year after the effective date of the agreement under which the
    rights are sold, licensed, or otherwise conveyed.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (c) Reversion of Rights.--</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (1) Failure to use rights; opportunity to cure.--
            If a distributor to which media rights for intercollegiate
            athletic competitions in a sport other than football or
            basketball are sold, licensed, or otherwise conveyed as
            described in subsection (b) does not use the rights during the
            1-year period beginning on the effective date of the agreement
            under which the rights are sold, licensed, or otherwise
            conveyed, the covered entity, member institution, or member
            conference notifies the distributor after the expiration of
            that 1-year period of the distributor's failure to use the
            rights, and the distributor does not use the rights during the
            180-day period beginning on the date of the notification, the
            rights for that sport shall revert to the originating covered
            entity, member institution, or member conference.</DELETED>
            <DELETED>    (2) Reconveyance.--Upon the reversion of rights
            under paragraph (1), the covered entity, member institution, or
            member conference may resell, relicense, or otherwise reconvey
            the rights to another entity without penalty or liability for
            breach of the original agreement described in that
            paragraph.</DELETED>
    <DELETED>    (d) Savings.--Nothing in this section shall be construed
    to modify the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, as amended by this
    title.</DELETED>

    SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

        (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Protect College
    Sports Act of 2026''.
        (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
    follows:

    Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

         TITLE I--PROTECTIONS OF STUDENT ATHLETES AND FAIR COMPETITION

    Sec. 100. Definitions.
    Sec. 101. Name, image, and likeness protections.
    Sec. 102. Modifications to Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act.
    Sec. 103. Agent registry requirements for intercollegiate athletic
                                associations.
    Sec. 104. Disclosures and establishment of name, image, and likeness
                                agreement database.
    Sec. 105. Academic protections.
    Sec. 106. Medical coverage requirements.
    Sec. 107. Health, wellness, and safety standards.
    Sec. 108. Office of the Student Athlete Ombudsman.
    Sec. 109. Comparable standards for access to facilities, services, and
                                events.
    Sec. 110. Rules governing certain mid-season coaching transitions.
    Sec. 111. Student athlete representation on intercollegiate athletic
                                association governing boards.
    Sec. 112. Transfer protections.
    Sec. 113. Eligibility to participate in intercollegiate sports.
    Sec. 114. Prohibited compensation and agreements.
    Sec. 115. Extension of the revenue share cap.
    Sec. 116. Commission on the Future of College Athletics.
    Sec. 117. Recruitment and tampering.
    Sec. 118. Limitation on liability.
    Sec. 119. Private right of action.
    Sec. 120. Whistleblower protection.
    Sec. 121. Relationship to existing law.
    Sec. 122. Neutrality on employee or non-employee status.
    Sec. 123. Applicability.
    Sec. 124. Severability.
    Sec. 125. Protection of women's sports and Olympic sports.
    Sec. 126. Mid-sized conference representation on intercollegiate
                                athletic association governing boards.

                         TITLE II--SPORTS BROADCASTING

    Sec. 201. Definitions.
    Sec. 202. Limitation on liability for transmission of collegiate sports
                                competitions.
    Sec. 203. Requirements for entities selling media rights.
    Sec. 204. Market level broadcast access for college football and
                                basketball.
    Sec. 205. Prohibition on certain conference mergers or acquisition.
    Sec. 206. Amendments to intercollegiate and interscholastic football
                                contest limitations.
    Sec. 207. Media rights utilization requirement for college sports other
                                than football and basketball.

         TITLE I--PROTECTIONS OF STUDENT ATHLETES AND FAIR COMPETITION

    SEC. 100. DEFINITIONS.

        In this title:
                (1) Antitrust laws.--The term ``antitrust laws'' has the
            meaning given that term in the 1st section of the Clayton Act
            (15 U.S.C. 12) and includes--
                        (A) section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act
                    (15 U.S.C. 45) to the extent that such section 5
                    applies to unfair methods of competition; and
                        (B) any similar State antitrust law, including a
                    State law provision that applies to covering unfair
                    methods of competition having the force and effect of
                    law.
                (2) Associated entity.--The term ``associated entity''
            means any individual or entity, including a collective, that
            is--
                        (A) known, or should have been known, to exist for
                    or act for the benefit of, in coordination with, or at
                    the direction of an institution to promote or support
                    an institution's athletics program or student athletes,
                    including by creating or identifying name, image, and
                    likeness compensation opportunities for an
                    institution's student athletes;
                        (B) an individual or entity that is or was a
                    member, employee, director, officer, owner, or agent of
                    an individual or entity described in subparagraph (A);
                        (C) an individual or entity that directly or
                    indirectly (including contributions by an affiliated
                    entity, individual, or family member) has contributed
                    more than $50,000 over their lifetime to a particular
                    institution or to an individual or entity described in
                    subparagraph (A);
                        (D) an individual or entity that has directly or
                    indirectly been directed or requested by an institution
                    or third party acting on behalf of, for the benefit of,
                    in coordination with, or at the direction of an
                    institution to assist in the recruitment or retention
                    of student athletes or prospective student athletes, or
                    otherwise has assisted in the recruitment or retention
                    of student athletes or prospective student athletes; or
                        (E) an individual or entity owned, controlled, or
                    operated by, or otherwise affiliated with the
                    individuals or entities described in subparagraph (A).
                (3) Athlete agent.--The term ``athlete agent'' has the
            meaning given that term in section 2 of the Sports Agent
            Responsibility and Trust Act (15 U.S.C. 7801).
                (4) Collective.--The term ``collective''--
                        (A) means a person, corporation, booster
                    organization, tax-exempt organization, or other entity
                    that provides donations or other support directly or
                    indirectly to or for the benefit or support of--
                                (i) a student athlete who is enrolled, or
                            who may enroll, at an institution; or
                                (ii) the intercollegiate athletics program
                            or any booster organization of an institution;
                            and
                        (B) does not include--
                                (i) an immediate family member of a student
                            athlete; or
                                (ii) an individual or entity that--
                                        (I) licenses trademark rights of an
                                    institution; and
                                        (II) does not--
                                                (aa) license name, image,
                                            and likeness rights of student
                                            athletes; or
                                                (bb) make payments
                                            earmarked or designated to fund
                                            name, image, or likeness
                                            licenses or other payments to
                                            student athletes.
                (5) Compensation.--The term ``compensation''--
                        (A) means any payment, remuneration, or benefit
                    provided to a student athlete or a prospective student
                    athlete; and
                        (B) does not include--
                                (i) grants-in-aid;
                                (ii) Federal Pell Grants provided under
                            section 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965
                            (20 U.S.C. 1070a) or any other Federal or State
                            grants unrelated to and not awarded with regard
                            to participation in intercollegiate sports;
                                (iii) health insurance and the costs of
                            health care funded by an institution,
                            intercollegiate athletic association, or
                            conference;
                                (iv) disability and loss-of-value
                            insurance, including disability and loss-of-
                            value insurance funded by an institution,
                            intercollegiate athletic association, or
                            conference;
                                (v) career counseling, job placement
                            services, or other guidance available to all
                            students at an institution;
                                (vi) hourly wages and benefits for work
                            performed outside of participating in
                            intercollegiate sports at a rate commensurate
                            with the prevailing rate in the relevant State
                            or locality for similar work;
                                (vii) enhanced education benefits,
                            including academic awards;
                                (viii) financial literacy or tax education
                            resources; or
                                (ix) any program to connect student
                            athletes with employers and facilitate
                            employment opportunities, if--
                                        (I) the financial terms of such
                                    employment opportunities are consistent
                                    with the terms offered to similarly
                                    situated employees who are not student
                                    athletes; and
                                        (II) such program is not used to
                                    induce a student athlete to attend a
                                    particular institution.
                (6) Conference.--The term ``conference'' means any
            organization that is not an intercollegiate athletic
            association and that--
                        (A) has 2 or more institutions as members; and
                        (B) arranges championships for intercollegiate
                    athletic competitions or sets rules for intercollegiate
                    athletic competition.
                (7) Cost of attendance.--The term ``cost of attendance''--
                        (A) has the meaning given that term in section 472
                    of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087ll);
                    and
                        (B) shall be calculated by the financial aid office
                    of an institution applying the same standards,
                    policies, and procedures for all students.
                (8) Grant-in-aid.--The term ``grant-in-aid'' means--
                        (A) a scholarship, grant, stipend, or other form of
                    financial assistance, including the provision of
                    tuition, room, board, books, or funds for fees or
                    personal expenses, that--
                                (i) is paid or provided by an institution
                            to a student for the undergraduate or graduate
                            education of the student; and
                                (ii) is in an amount that does not exceed
                            the cost of attendance for such student at the
                            institution; and
                        (B) does not include compensation paid to a student
                    athlete.
                (9) Image.--With respect to a student athlete, the term
            ``image'' means a picture, video, computer-generated
            representation, or other depiction that identifies, is linked
            to, or is reasonably linked to the student athlete.
                (10) Institution.--Except as otherwise explicitly provided,
            the term ``institution'' has the meaning given the term
            ``institution of higher education'' under section 101 of the
            Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).
                (11) Intercollegiate athletic association.--The term
            ``intercollegiate athletic association''--
                        (A) means any organization, not-for-profit
                    corporation, association, or any other group organized
                    in the United States that--
                                (i) sponsors or arranges intercollegiate
                            athletic competition between institutions;
                                (ii) sets common rules, standards,
                            procedures, or guidelines for the
                            administration of intercollegiate athletic
                            competition;
                                (iii) is composed of 2 or more institutions
                            or conferences that are located in different
                            States or participate in intercollegiate
                            athletic competition in more than 1 State; and
                                (iv) is not a conference;
                        (B) includes--
                                (i) the National Collegiate Athletic
                            Association; and
                                (ii) any other national intercollegiate
                            athletic association; and
                        (C) does not include a corporation, association, or
                    other group affiliated with professional athletic
                    competition.
                (12) Intercollegiate athletic competition.--The term
            ``intercollegiate athletic competition'' means any
            intercollegiate sport contest, game, meet, match, tournament,
            regatta, or other intercollegiate sport event in which student
            athletes or varsity sports teams compete.
                (13) Intercollegiate sport.--The term ``intercollegiate
            sport''--
                        (A) means a sport played between institutions for
                    which eligibility requirements for participation by a
                    student athlete are established by an intercollegiate
                    athletic association; and
                        (B) does not include a recreational, intramural, or
                    club sport.
                (14) Likeness.--With respect to a student athlete, the term
            ``likeness'' means a physical or digital depiction or
            representation that identifies, is linked to, or is reasonably
            linked to the student athlete, including --
                        (A) the uniquely identifiable body, physical
                    characteristics, or voice of the student athlete;
                        (B) any other mark that identifies or distinguishes
                    the student athlete; or
                        (C) the jersey number associated with the student
                    athlete during the period of athletic participation by
                    the student athlete at an institution if the jersey
                    number is accompanied by--
                                (i) a logo or color scheme that is clearly
                            associated with the institution; or
                                (ii) some other means by which the jersey
                            number is associated with the student athlete.
                (15) Name.--With respect to a student athlete, the term
            ``name'' means the first or last name that identifies the
            student athlete, a nickname or assumed name of the student
            athlete, or a username associated with the student athlete on
            any public-facing internet platform when used in a context that
            identifies, is linked to, or is reasonably linked to the
            student athlete.
                (16) Name, image, and likeness agreement.--The term ``name,
            image, and likeness agreement'' means a contract or similar
            agreement between a student athlete (or group of student
            athletes) and a conference, institution, intercollegiate
            athletic association, associated entity, collective, or third
            party regarding the commercial use of the name, image, and
            likeness rights of the student athlete (or group of student
            athletes).
                (17) Name, image, and likeness rights.--The term ``name,
            image, and likeness rights'' means the ability of a student
            athlete to market and profit from the commercial use of his or
            her name, image, or likeness.
                (18) Prospective student athlete.--The term ``prospective
            student athlete'' means an individual who is recruited,
            actively being recruited, or has been contacted for the
            purposes of recruitment to attend an institution as a student
            athlete, but has not yet enrolled at the institution.
                (19) Revenue share cap.--The term ``revenue share cap''
            means the Benefits Pool Limit set forth in the Injunctive
            Relief Settlement Agreement approved by the court in ``In Re
            College Athlete NIL Litigation'', No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal.
            June 6, 2025), or as modified pursuant to the amendment
            provision specified in paragraph 55 of that settlement.
                (20) Student athlete.--The term ``student athlete'' means
            an individual who is enrolled as a full-time student at an
            institution and who--
                        (A) makes satisfactory progress towards completing
                    a degree; and
                        (B) participates in intercollegiate athletic
                    competition or competes for a varsity sports team as
                    part of the institution's educational, developmental,
                    or extracurricular programs.
                (21) Third party.--The term ``third party'' means an
            individual or entity that is not an institution, associated
            entity, collective, conference, or intercollegiate athletic
            association.
                (22) Valid business purpose.--The term ``valid business
            purpose'' means a purpose genuinely related to the promotion of
            goods or services provided to the general public for profit.
                (23) Varsity sports team.--The term ``varsity sports team''
            means a sports team composed of student athletes that is
            organized by an institution for the purpose of intercollegiate
            athletic competition.

    SEC. 101. NAME, IMAGE, AND LIKENESS PROTECTIONS.

        (a) Student Athlete Name, Image, and Likeness Compensation.--
                (1) In general.--Except as provided in this title, an
            institution, conference, intercollegiate athletic association,
            or any representative of such an entity may not--
                        (A) restrict the ability of a student athlete,
                    group of student athletes, or prospective student
                    athlete--
                                (i) to market or earn compensation for the
                            value of their name, image, or likeness rights;
                            or
                                (ii) to enter into a name, image, and
                            likeness agreement;
                        (B) restrict the eligibility for intercollegiate
                    athletic competition for a student athlete or
                    prospective student athlete on the basis of the student
                    athlete or prospective student athlete entering into a
                    name, image, and likeness agreement or marketing or
                    earning compensation for the value of their name,
                    image, or likeness;
                        (C) unless otherwise required by law, limit the
                    eligibility or opportunity of a student athlete or
                    prospective student athlete to apply for or receive a
                    grant-in-aid, including the amount, duration, or
                    renewal of such grant-in-aid, on the basis of the
                    student athlete or prospective student athlete entering
                    into a name, image, and likeness agreement, or
                    marketing or earning compensation for the value of
                    their name, image, or likeness; or
                        (D) unless otherwise required by law, revoke,
                    reduce, or decline to renew a grant-in-aid for a
                    student athlete or prospective student athlete based on
                    the student athlete or prospective student athlete
                    entering into a name, image, and likeness agreement or
                    marketing or earning compensation for the value of
                    their name, image, or likeness.
                (2) Consent and compensation for group use.--An
            institution, conference, intercollegiate athletic association,
            collective, third party, or any representative thereof, may not
            use the name, image, or likeness of any group of student
            athletes to sell or promote any product or service unless the
            institution, conference, athletic association, collective, or
            third party, as the case may be, obtains an agreement from each
            member of the group for that purpose.
                (3) Exceptions.--
                        (A) Certain agreements.--An institution may
                    restrict the eligibility for intercollegiate athletic
                    competition of a student athlete or prospective student
                    athlete who enters into a name, image, and likeness
                    agreement that violates the code of student conduct of
                    the institution that applies to all students enrolled
                    at the institution.
                        (B) Certain uses.--An institution may restrict the
                    eligibility for intercollegiate athletic competition of
                    a student athlete or prospective student athlete if, in
                    connection with a name, image, and likeness agreement,
                    the student athlete or prospective student athlete uses
                    a facility, uniform, equipment, registered or
                    unregistered trademark, copyright-protected product, or
                    the official logo, mark, or other indicia of the
                    institution without the express consent of the
                    institution.
        (b) Mandatory Disclosures by Student Athletes.--
                (1) In general.--All student athletes shall report to their
            institution--
                        (A) not later than 5 days after entering into a
                    name, image, and likeness agreement, the terms of any
                    such agreement that exceeds $600 in value, including
                    multiple payments, remunerations, or benefits from the
                    same entity that exceeds a total of $600 over a 12-
                    month period; and
                        (B) to the extent not reported under subparagraph
                    (A), not later than 30 days after receiving
                    compensation for the name, image, or likeness of the
                    student athlete, the amount and source of any such
                    compensation that exceeds $600, including multiple
                    payments, remunerations, or benefits from the same
                    entity that exceeds a total of $600 over a 12-month
                    period.
                (2) Mandatory disclosures by recruited athletes.--With
            respect to a student athlete or prospective student athlete who
            is recruited to attend, but is not yet enrolled in, an
            institution, the student athlete or prospective student athlete
            shall report to the institution--
                        (A) the terms of any current or ongoing name,
                    image, and likeness agreement that exceeds $600 in
                    value, including multiple payments, remunerations, or
                    benefits from the same entity that exceeds a total of
                    $600 over a 12-month period; and
                        (B) to the extent not reported under subparagraph
                    (A), the amount and source of any current or ongoing
                    name, image, and likeness compensation that exceeds
                    $600, including multiple payments, remunerations, or
                    benefits from the same person that exceeds a total of
                    $600 over a 12-month period.
                (3) Exception.--
                        (A) In general.--Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not
                    apply to either marketing or earning compensation for
                    the value of the name, image, and likeness rights of a
                    student athlete or to the compensation within a name,
                    image, and likeness agreement in which a student
                    athlete receives less than $600, including multiple
                    payments, remunerations, or benefits from the same
                    person that totals less than $600 over a 12-month
                    period.
                        (B) Adjustment for inflation.--The amount described
                    in clause (i) shall be adjusted for inflation by the
                    percent increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index
                    for All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of
                    Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor for the
                    most recent 12-month period for which applicable data
                    is available.
                (4) Release of information.--Except as provided in section
            104 or as necessary to comply with this Act, an institution may
            not release any information provided by a student athlete or
            prospective student athlete in a disclosure under paragraph (1)
            or (2) without the express written consent of the student
            athlete, prospective student athlete, athlete agent of the
            student athlete or prospective student athlete, or, in case of
            a minor, the parent or legal guardian of the minor.
                (5) Limitation.--This subsection shall apply only to
            student athletes and prospective student athletes of
            institutions whose primary membership is in Division I, as
            defined by bylaw 20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic
            Association, or a successor bylaw.
        (c) Name, Image, or Likeness Compensation by Institutions.--Subject
    to the requirements of this title, an institution, intercollegiate
    athletic association, conference, collective, associated entity, or
    third party, may pay, provide, or facilitate compensation to a student
    athlete for the use of the name, image, or likeness of the student
    athlete.
        (d) Right to Representation.--An institution, intercollegiate
    athletic association, or conference may not restrict the eligibility
    for intercollegiate athletic competition, or any other event or
    activity relating to intercollegiate athletic competition, of a
    prospective student athlete or student athlete based on the prospective
    student athlete or student athlete having obtained an athlete agent or
    legal representative.
        (e) Educational Resources Regarding This Title.--An intercollegiate
    athletic association shall provide student athletes and prospective
    student athletes and the parents or guardians of student athletes or
    prospective student athletes with educational materials relating to
    this title.

    SEC. 102. MODIFICATIONS TO SPORTS AGENT RESPONSIBILITY AND TRUST ACT.

        (a) In General.--The Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act (15
    U.S.C. 7801 et seq.) is amended--
                (1) in section 2 (15 U.S.C. 7801)--
                        (A) in paragraph (5), by inserting before the
                    period the following: ``and includes any name, image,
                    and likeness agreement as defined in section 100 of the
                    Protect College Sports Act of 2026'';
                        (B) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (9) as
                    paragraphs (7) through (10), respectively; and
                        (C) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:
                ``(6) Intercollegiate athletic association.--The term
            `intercollegiate athletic association' has the meaning given
            that term in section 100 of Protect College Sports Act of
            2026'';
                (2) in section 3 (15 U.S.C. 7802)--
                        (A) in subsection (a)--
                                (i) in paragraph (2), by striking ``or'' at
                            the end;
                                (ii) in paragraph (3), by striking the
                            period at the end and inserting a semicolon;
                            and
                                (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                ``(4) enter into an agency contract or represent a student
            athlete in a manner that violates section 9;
                ``(5) charge a student athlete a fee in connection with an
            endorsement contract that exceeds 5 percent of the value of the
            endorsement contract;
                ``(6) enter into an agency contract with an athlete for a
            term that extends beyond the eligibility of the student athlete
            to participate in intercollegiate sport;
                ``(7) make any materially false, deceptive, or fraudulent
            representation as an athlete agent, including any materially
            false, deceptive, or fraudulent statement to a student athlete
            or prospective student athlete that misrepresents the
            existence, nature, or value of a name, image, or likeness
            opportunity the athlete agent can arrange on behalf of the
            student athlete or prospective student athlete through
            recruitment or transfer to an institution (as defined in
            section 100 of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026); or
                ``(8) make a materially false, deceptive, or fraudulent
            statement in the application for registration as an athlete
            agent.''; and
                        (B) in subsection (b)(3), by striking ``Warning to
                    Student Athlete: If you agree orally or in writing to
                    be represented by an agent now or in the future you may
                    lose your eligibility to compete as a student athlete
                    in your sport.'';
                (3) by inserting after section 5 (15 U.S.C. 7804) the
            following:

    ``SEC. 5A. PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION.

        ``(a) In General.--Any current or former student athlete alleging a
    violation of paragraphs (4) through (8) of section 3(a), section 9, or
    section 10 may bring a civil action in an appropriate district court of
    the United States or in an appropriate State court.
        ``(b) Relief.--In a civil action brought under subsection (a) in
    which the plaintiff prevails, the court may award--
                ``(1) a declaratory judgment that a name, image, or
            likeness agreement (as defined in section 100 of the Protect
            College Sports Act of 2026) or an agency contract, as
            applicable, is null and void; and
                ``(2) actual damages.
        ``(c) Attorney's Fees and Costs.--In a civil action brought under
    subsection (a) in which the defendant is not an institution (as defined
    in section 100 of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026), the court
    may, in its discretion, award reasonable attorney's fees and litigation
    costs.
        ``(d) Invalidity of Pre-dispute Arbitration Agreements and Pre-
    dispute Joint Action Waivers.--
                ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
            law, no pre-dispute arbitration agreement or pre-dispute joint
            action waiver shall be valid or enforceable against a student
            athlete with respect to a dispute arising under this Act.
                ``(2) Applicability.--Any determination as to whether or
            how paragraph (1) applies to any dispute shall be made by a
            court, rather than an arbitrator, without regard to whether the
            agreement or waiver that is the subject of the dispute purports
            to delegate such determination to an arbitrator.
                ``(3) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                        ``(A) Pre-dispute arbitration agreement.--The term
                    `pre-dispute arbitration agreement' means any agreement
                    to arbitrate a dispute that has not arisen at the time
                    of the making of the agreement.
                        ``(B) Pre-dispute joint-action waiver.--The term
                    `pre-dispute joint-action waiver' means an agreement,
                    whether or not part of a pre-dispute arbitration
                    agreement, that would prohibit, or waive the right of,
                    one of the parties to the agreement to participate in a
                    joint, class, or collective action in a judicial,
                    arbitral, administrative, or other forum, concerning a
                    dispute that has not yet arisen at the time of the
                    making of the agreement.''; and
                (4) by adding at the end the following:

    ``SEC. 9. REGISTRATION OF ATHLETE AGENTS AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS.

        ``(a) In General.--An athlete agent who seeks to represent a
    student athlete in an endorsement contract shall--
                ``(1) register with a State before representing a student
            athlete for an endorsement contract; and
                ``(2) enter into an agency contract with the student
            athlete before providing representation in an endorsement
            contract.
        ``(b) Registration Established.--An individual is deemed to be
    registered with a State for purposes of this section if the individual
    is--
                ``(1) a registered professional sports agent with a
            professional sports league or players association, in good
            standing; or
                ``(2) registered and certified under the All State Uniform
            Agent Acts in the State in which the agent operates, in good
            standing.
        ``(c) Certification to Intercollegiate Athletic Associations.--
                ``(1) Requirement.--An athlete agent that represents a
            student athlete shall certify to each applicable
            intercollegiate athletic association that the athlete agent is
            registered with a State.
                ``(2) Prohibition.--It is unlawful for an individual to
            certify to an intercollegiate athletic association that the
            individual is an athlete agent if the individual is not
            registered with a State.
        ``(d) Requirements for Agency Contracts.--To be a valid contract,
    an agency contract shall--
                ``(1) state the name of each party to the contract;
                ``(2) state the term of the contract;
                ``(3) state the registration information for the athlete
            agent; and
                ``(4) state the fee or commission charged by the athlete
            agent.

    ``SEC. 10. ENDORSEMENT CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS.

        ``An endorsement contract made in interstate or foreign commerce
    is, at the option of the student athlete, void from the inception of
    such contract if such contract does not satisfy the following
    requirements:
                ``(1) The contract is in writing.
                ``(2) The contract plainly states that the student athlete
            has the right to obtain or retain an athlete agent or legal
            representation with respect to the contract.
                ``(3) The contract contains--
                        ``(A) a description of services rendered;
                        ``(B) the names of each party to the contract;
                        ``(C) the terms of the contract;
                        ``(D) the amount of compensation to be provided to
                    the student athlete under the contract;
                        ``(E) a provision specifying the circumstance or
                    event that would result in the termination of the
                    contract due to nonperformance of obligations by the
                    student athlete or other parties to the contract; and
                        ``(F) a provision specifying that the validity and
                    effectiveness of the contract, and the provision of
                    compensation to the student athlete under the contract,
                    is not conditioned upon any express or implicit
                    requirement that the student athlete enroll or remain
                    enrolled at an institution or reside in a particular
                    location within the United States, unless the party
                    making the contract with the student athlete is an
                    institution, conference, associated entity, or
                    collective affiliated with the institution and the
                    contract is entered into after the student athlete has
                    enrolled at such institution.
                ``(4) The contract is not for a term that extends beyond
            the eligibility of the student athlete to participate in
            intercollegiate sports.''.
        (b) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents for the Sports
    Agent Responsibility and Trust Act is amended--
                (1) by inserting after the item relating to section 5 the
            following:

    ``Sec. 5A. Private right of action.''; and
                (2) by adding at the end the following:

    ``Sec. 9. Registration of athlete agents and other requirements.
    ``Sec. 10. Endorsement contract requirements.''.

    SEC. 103. AGENT REGISTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC
                  ASSOCIATIONS.

        (a) Requirements of Intercollegiate Athletic Associations.--An
    intercollegiate athletic association shall maintain a publicly
    available website that includes a searchable database of athlete agents
    that--
                (1) are registered with a State and certified pursuant to
            section 9 of the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act, as
            added by section 102; and
                (2) have certified compliance with all rules and bylaws of
            such intercollegiate athletic association, including any
            recruitment and tampering rules adopted under section 117.
        (b) Decertification Permitted.--
                (1) In general.--An intercollegiate athletic association
            may decertify or fine an athlete agent for any violations of
            section 9 of the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act, as
            added by section 102, or any violation of section 117 on
            recruitment and tampering.
                (2) Effect of decertification.--An athlete agent that is
            decertified pursuant to paragraph (1) may not represent or
            contact a student athlete or prospective student athlete of an
            institution that is a member of such intercollegiate athletic
            association.

    SEC. 104. DISCLOSURES AND ESTABLISHMENT OF NAME, IMAGE, AND LIKENESS
                  AGREEMENT DATABASE.

        (a) Disclosures by Institutions.--
                (1) Disclosure of data on name, image, and likeness
            agreements.--Not later than July 1 of the first year beginning
            after the date of the enactment of this Act, and each July 1
            thereafter, each institution shall disclose to the
            intercollegiate athletic association of which the institution
            is a member, in an anonymized manner, the following data:
                        (A) With respect to each name, image, and likeness
                    agreement disclosed to the institution by a student
                    athlete as required by section 101(b)--
                                (i) a description of services rendered; and
                                (ii) the amount of compensation to be
                            provided to the student athlete or group of
                            athletes under the agreement.
                        (B) With respect to each name, image, and likeness
                    agreement entered into between the institution and a
                    student athlete, disaggregated by intercollegiate
                    sports program--
                                (i) the number of agreements the
                            institution entered into;
                                (ii) the average value of the agreements;
                            and
                                (iii) the total value of the agreements.
                (2) Report on revenue and student outcomes.--Not later than
            60 days after the date on which an academic year ends, each
            institution with 1 or more intercollegiate sports programs
            shall submit to the governing athletic association for such
            institution a report that includes, for the academic year, the
            following:
                        (A) The amount of revenues and expenditures of each
                    such sports program, including the amount of associated
                    entity and third-party donations, Federal funds, and
                    State funds, including the total amount of remuneration
                    for personnel of each intercollegiate sports program,
                    individually by program and in the aggregate.
                        (B) The average number of hours student athletes
                    spent on intercollegiate athletic events and
                    intercollegiate athletic competition, disaggregated by
                    sports program.
                        (C) The academic outcomes and majors for student
                    athletes, disaggregated by sports program.
                (3) Treatment of men's and women's programs.--An
            institution shall treat men's and women's sports programs as
            distinct sports programs for the purposes of disclosure and
            reporting obligations under this subsection.
                (4) Protection of personally identifiable information.--In
            making a disclosure under paragraph (1), an institution shall
            ensure that no personally identifiable information of a student
            athlete is transmitted to an intercollegiate athletic
            association.
        (b) Disclosures by Associations and Database.--
                (1) In general.--Not later than September of the first year
            beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act, each
            intercollegiate athletic association shall establish and
            maintain a publicly accessible, searchable database for student
            athletes and their agents to estimate the fair market value for
            name, image, and likeness agreements, which shall include data
            collected under subsection (a)(2).
                (2) Content of database.--An intercollegiate athletic
            association shall include the data reported by institutions
            pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a) in the
            database described in paragraph (1).
                (3) Update of database.--An intercollegiate athletic
            association shall update the database described in paragraph
            (1) each September 1.
                (4) Privacy.--An intercollegiate athletic association shall
            take reasonable technical measures to ensure that information
            available in the database described in paragraph (1) may not be
            used to identify a student athlete.
        (c) Limitation.--This section shall apply only to institutions
    whose primary membership is in Division I, as defined by bylaw 20.9 of
    the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw, and
    shall not apply to any Division II or Division III institution (as so
    defined) that participates in a limited number of sports at the
    Division I level.

    SEC. 105. ACADEMIC PROTECTIONS.

        (a) Prohibitions Relating to Coursework and Extracurricular
    Activities.--
                (1) In general.--An employee or volunteer of an athletic
            department of an institution may not--
                        (A) exert undue pressure over or prevent a student
                    athlete from selecting a course or an academic major of
                    the student athlete's choice;
                        (B) retaliate against a student athlete based on
                    the student athlete's selection of any course or
                    academic major; or
                        (C) prevent a student athlete who seeks to secure
                    employment or internships, participate in student
                    groups or events, or serve as a volunteer from doing
                    so, unless such activity interferes with mandatory
                    class time or mandatory events related to
                    intercollegiate athletic competition or membership on a
                    varsity sports team.
                (2) Participation in athletic related activities.--In order
            to ensure each student athlete makes satisfactory progress
            toward the completion of a degree, each intercollegiate
            athletic association and any institution that is a member of
            such association may limit a student athlete to only
            participate in countable athletic-related activities as part of
            the educational, developmental, or extracurricular programs of
            the institution.
                (3) Rule of construction.--Paragraph (1) may not be
            construed as preventing an institution, an athletic department
            of an institution, or a representative thereof from--
                        (A) informing a student athlete of academic
                    eligibility requirements and mandatory and expected
                    team activities; or
                        (B) providing other legitimate academic counseling
                    and support services, in collaboration with the
                    institution, to help the student athlete pursue the
                    academic interests of and improve academic outcomes for
                    the student athlete.
        (b) Financial Literacy and Life Skills.--An institution that offers
    financial literacy and life skills programming directed to student
    athletes may not include any marketing, advertising, referral, or
    solicitation offers in such programming.
        (c) Scholarship Protections.--
                (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), an
            institution that awards a grant-in-aid to a student athlete may
            not revoke, reduce, or condition the grant-in-aid of the
            student athlete--
                        (A) based on the athletic ability or performance of
                    the student athlete or the contribution of the student
                    athlete to the success of a varsity sports team;
                        (B) as a result of an injury or illness based on a
                    physical or mental medical condition of the student
                    athlete; or
                        (C) roster management decisions.
                (2) Exception.--
                        (A) In general.--An institution may revoke, reduce,
                    or condition the grant-in-aid of a student athlete or
                    former student athlete who--
                                (i) transfers to another institution; or
                                (ii) does not remain in good standing in
                            accordance with--
                                        (I) the standards or code of
                                    conduct of the institution applicable
                                    to all students;
                                        (II) the established athletics
                                    program policies for participating in
                                    mandatory team athletic activities for
                                    a varsity sports team; or
                                        (III) the academic standards for
                                    athletic eligibility.
                        (B) Notice.--An institution shall provide a student
                    athlete with timely written notice with respect to any
                    possible revocation or reduction of, or condition on,
                    the grant-in-aid or athletic eligibility of the student
                    athlete.
                        (C) Reinstatement.--In the case of a revocation or
                    reduction of, or condition on, the grant-in-aid of a
                    student athlete under this paragraph, an institution
                    may reinstate or remove any condition placed on such
                    grant-in-aid if the student athlete subsequently cures
                    or satisfies the reasons provided by the notice in
                    subparagraph (B).
                        (D) Former student athletes.--
                                (i) In general.--With respect to a former
                            student athlete described in clause (ii), an
                            institution shall provide the former student
                            athlete--
                                        (I) the opportunity to resume study
                                    at the institution for the purpose of
                                    completing the requirements necessary
                                    to earn a degree; and
                                        (II) the amount of grant-in-aid the
                                    former student athlete received while
                                    previously enrolled at the institution
                                    and participating--
                                                (aa) in intercollegiate
                                            athletic competition; or
                                                (bb) as a member of a
                                            varsity sports team.
                                (ii) Former student athlete described.--A
                            former student athlete described in this
                            subparagraph is a former student athlete of an
                            institution who--
                                        (I) was enrolled at the institution
                                    during their last year of eligibility
                                    to participate in intercollegiate
                                    athletic competition during the
                                    preceding 10-year period;
                                        (II) received grant-in-aid while
                                    enrolled at the institution;
                                        (III) was not subject to the
                                    revocation of grant-in-aid under
                                    subparagraph (A)(ii)(I); and
                                        (IV) has not completed the course
                                    of study for an undergraduate degree.
                        (E) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this
                    paragraph may be construed to preclude--
                                (i) an institution from providing
                            additional grant-in-aid protections for student
                            athletes or former student athletes; or
                                (ii) an intercollegiate athletic
                            association, conference, institution, student
                            athlete, or former student athlete from
                            requesting or advocating for additional grant-
                            in-aid protections.
                (3) Limitation.--Paragraph (2)(D) shall apply only to
            institutions that compete in Division I, as defined by bylaw
            20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a
            successor bylaw.

    SEC. 106. MEDICAL COVERAGE REQUIREMENTS.

        (a) In General.--Each Division I institution, as defined by bylaw
    20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor
    bylaw, each institution whose primary membership is in Division II or
    Division III (as so defined) only with respect to student athletes of
    the institution who compete in Division I, or an intercollegiate
    athletic association or conference comprised of Division I member
    institutions shall provide or cause to be provided--
                (1) during the participation of a student athlete in an
            intercollegiate sport--
                        (A) all out-of-pocket medical expenses, such as
                    copayments or deductibles, for the health care coverage
                    of a student athlete for any injury or disease incurred
                    through participation in an intercollegiate sport;
                        (B) the expense for obtaining a medical second
                    opinion independent of the institution for any injury
                    or disease the student athlete incurred through
                    participation in an intercollegiate sport;
                        (C) catastrophic injury medical insurance for any
                    injury or disease incurred through participation in an
                    intercollegiate sport that exceeds $90,000 in medical
                    costs; and
                        (D) an end-of-college physical examination for a
                    student athlete for the purpose of documenting and
                    diagnosing any injury or condition related to the
                    student athlete's participation in an intercollegiate
                    sport; and
                (2) with respect to a student athlete enrolled at the
            institution during their last year of eligibility to
            participate in intercollegiate athletic competition, for the 5-
            year period beginning on the day after the last intercollegiate
            competition for the student athlete, the cost of all out-of-
            pocket medical expenses of the student athlete for health care
            coverage for any injury or disease incurred through
            participation in an intercollegiate sport.
        (b) Intercollegiate Athletic Association Post-eligibility Insurance
    and Catastrophic Injury Fund or Program.--
                (1) In general.--An intercollegiate athletic association
            comprised of member institutions that compete in Division I,
            Division II, or Division III, as defined by bylaw 20 of the
            National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw,
            on behalf of its member institutions must establish a fund or
            program to help cover the cost of--
                        (A) in the case of a Division I institution that
                    generates less than $20,000,000 in total annual
                    athletics revenue during the preceding academic year,
                    compliance with subsection (a)(2) (or, in the case of a
                    Division II or Division III institution, voluntary
                    compliance with subsection (a)(2)), in the event of
                    demonstrated financial hardship; and
                        (B) post-eligibility medical expenses for the
                    student athletes of a member institution who are
                    diagnosed with significant long-term conditions related
                    to their participation in an intercollegiate sport,
                    including chronic traumatic encephalopathy and any
                    other cognitive impairment.
                (2) Amount of fund.--
                        (A) In general.--Subject to increases under
                    subparagraph (B) and the limitation under subparagraph
                    (C), the intercollegiate athletic association described
                    in this subsection shall ensure that the fund or
                    program established under this subsection is funded at
                    an amount that totals not less than $60,000,000 on the
                    first day of each academic year.
                        (B) Subsequent increase.--Subject to the limitation
                    under subparagraph (C), if the amount funded for the
                    fund or program established under this subsection is
                    depleted for an academic year, that amount for the next
                    academic year shall be increased by $5,000,000 as
                    compared to the amount for the previous academic year.
                        (C) Limitation.--The amount funded for the fund or
                    program established under this subsection shall not
                    exceed $100,000,000.
                (3) Use of collective media rights.--In ensuring that the
            fund or program established under paragraph (2) is adequately
            funded, an intercollegiate athletic association may use the
            collective media rights revenue from a covered entity, in
            accordance with section 5(d)(3) of the Sports Broadcasting Act
            of 1961, as added by section 203.
        (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed
    to preclude an intercollegiate athletic association from--
                (1) providing or causing to be provided to student athletes
            medical coverage in addition to the medical coverage required
            by subsection (a); or
                (2) exceeding $60,000,000 for the fund or program
            established in subsection (b) for any academic year.

    SEC. 107. HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND SAFETY STANDARDS.

        (a) Establishment of Standards.--Not later than 270 days after the
    date of the enactment of this Act, each institution, conference, and
    intercollegiate athletic association shall adhere to standards to
    protect student athletes from sports-related serious injury,
    conditions, and death, including--
                (1) brain injury, by adhering to the concussion management
            practices, protocols, and legislation of the National
            Collegiate Athletic Association effective January 15, 2024, and
            as amended to strengthen protections for student athletes;
                (2) heat-related illness, by adhering to the American
            College of Sports Medicine Expert Consensus Statement on
            Exertional Heat Illness: Recognition, Management, and Return to
            Activity (April 2023), and as amended to strengthen protections
            for student athletes;
                (3) rhabdomyolysis, in accordance with the guidelines of
            the National Collegiate Athletic Association for exertional
            rhabdomyolysis published in 2025, and as amended to strengthen
            protections for student athletes; and
                (4) for any student athlete who is identified with--
                        (A) sickle cell trait, by following the guidelines
                    published by the National Collegiate Athletic
                    Association in 2025, and as amended to strengthen
                    protections for student athletes; and
                        (B) asthma, by following the guidelines of the
                    National Athletic Trainers' Association Position
                    Statement: Management of Asthma in Athletes (September
                    2005), and as amended to strengthen protections for
                    student athletes.
        (b) Measures To Prevent, Assess, and Remediate Abuse or
    Misconduct.--Each institution, conference, and intercollegiate athletic
    association shall take reasonable actions to prevent, assess, and
    remediate--
                (1) abuse or hazing of any student athlete, including
            physical and sexual abuse; and
                (2) sexual assault, sexual misconduct, and sexual
            harassment.
        (c) Provision of Information on Contact for Student Athlete
    Ombudsman.--
                (1) Intercollegiate athletic association.--An
            intercollegiate athletic association shall provide to student
            athletes information on how to contact the Office of the
            Student Athlete Ombudsman, as established in section 108, on
            the internet website of the association.
                (2) Institution.--At the beginning of each academic year,
            an institution shall provide to student athletes information on
            how to locate the website specified under paragraph (1) or a
            link to the website and information on how to contact the
            Office of the Student Athlete Ombudsman, as established in
            section 108.
        (d) Athletic Health and Safety Officers.--
                (1) In general.--Each institution shall designate an
            employee, who is independent of the athletic department, as the
            athletic health and safety officer for the institution.
                (2) Reporting.--The athletic health and safety officer
            designated under paragraph (1) shall report to an employee of
            the institution who is independent of the athletic department.
                (3) Officer responsibilities.--An employee who is
            designated by an institution under paragraph (1) as an athletic
            health and safety officer shall be responsible for, at a
            minimum--
                        (A) overseeing implementation of the applicable
                    requirements the institution is subject to under this
                    section, including any applicable training, oversight
                    practices, policies, and procedures; and
                        (B) consulting with student athletes and athletic
                    department personnel and reporting any suspected
                    violations of this section to the employee specified
                    under paragraph (2).
        (e) Independence of Medical Professionals.--
                (1) In general.--Medical personnel, including athletic
            trainers, physical therapists, and physicians, shall have the
            autonomous, unchallengeable authority to determine medical
            management and return to play decisions for student athletes
            under their care at an institution.
                (2) Limitation on nonmedical personnel.--No coach or other
            nonmedical personnel of an institution may attempt to influence
            or disregard the decisions of medical personnel with respect to
            the medical management and return to play decisions for student
            athletes under their care at the institution.
        (f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed
    to preclude--
                (1) an intercollegiate athletic association from
            establishing additional health, wellness, and safety standards
            to protect student athletes; or
                (2) an intercollegiate athletic association, conference,
            institution, or student athletes from requesting or advocating
            for additional health, wellness, and safety standards to
            protect student athletes.

    SEC. 108. OFFICE OF THE STUDENT ATHLETE OMBUDSMAN.

        (a) In General.--An intercollegiate athletic association shall
    establish an office to support student athletes, known as the ``Office
    of the Student Athlete Ombudsman'' (in this section referred to as the
    ``Office'').
        (b) Duties.--The Office shall--
                (1) provide independent advice to student athletes at no
            cost about the applicable requirements of this title and the
            amendments made by this title, including with respect to their
            rights and responsibilities and the resources available;
                (2) assist in the resolution of student athlete concerns
            regarding the intercollegiate athletic association,
            conferences, or institutions;
                (3) provide independent advice to student athletes with
            respect to the role, responsibility, authority, and
            jurisdiction of the intercollegiate athletic association,
            conferences, or institutions;
                (4) provide student athletes with current contact
            information for external third-party resources for student
            athletes;
                (5) provide independent advice to student athletes with
            respect to the relative value of engaging legal counsel;
                (6) develop standard language to explain the rights and
            responsibilities of student athletes under this Act that
            institutions shall be required to conspicuously display in
            common areas where student athletes congregate, such as locker
            rooms, dormitories, or study areas, to ensure that student
            athletes are properly informed of their rights,
            responsibilities, and ability to contact the Ombudsman; and
                (7) as appropriate, develop curricula to educate student
            athletes on their rights and responsibilities under this Act
            that is capable of being shared through in person or online
            classes, training sessions, or other means.
        (c) Administration.--An intercollegiate athletic association shall
    hire and provide salary, benefits, and administrative expenses for an
    Ombudsman and support staff for the Office.
        (d) Confidentiality.--
                (1) In general.--The Office shall maintain as confidential
            any information communicated or provided to the Office in
            confidence in any matter involving the exercise of the official
            duties of the Office.
                (2) Exception.--The Office may, with the permission of the
            parties involved, disclose information described in paragraph
            (1) as necessary to resolve or mediate a dispute.
                (3) Application.--The confidentiality requirements under
            this subsection shall not apply to information--
                        (A) as necessary to comply with applicable
                    reporting requirements mandated by Federal law;
                        (B) relating to a felony personally witnessed by a
                    member of the Office;
                        (C) if necessary to protect an individual at
                    imminent risk of serious harm; or
                        (D) with the permission of the parties involved, as
                    necessary to resolve or mediate a dispute.
                (4) Judicial and administrative proceedings.--
                        (A) In general.--The Ombudsman and any staff of the
                    Office shall not be compelled to testify or produce
                    evidence in any judicial or administrative proceeding
                    with respect to any matter involving the exercise of
                    the duties of the Office.
                        (B) Confidentiality.--Any memorandum, work product,
                    notes, or case file of the Office--
                                (i) shall be confidential; and
                                (ii) shall not be--
                                        (I) subject to discovery, subpoena,
                                    or any other means of legal compulsion;
                                    or
                                        (II) admissible as evidence in a
                                    judicial or administrative proceeding.
                (5) Prohibition on retaliation.--No employee, contractor,
            agent, volunteer, or member of an intercollegiate athletic
            association, a conference, or an institution shall take or
            threaten to take any action against a student athlete as a
            reprisal for disclosing information to or seeking assistance
            from the Office.
        (e) Independence in Carrying Out Duties.--The board of directors or
    other governing board or committee of an intercollegiate athletic
    association, a conference, or an institution shall not prevent or
    prohibit the Office from carrying out any duty or responsibility under
    this section.

    SEC. 109. COMPARABLE STANDARDS FOR ACCESS TO FACILITIES, SERVICES, AND
                  EVENTS.

        Intercollegiate athletic associations and conferences shall
    maintain comparable standards for medical care, lodging, meals, rest,
    transportation, and, if applicable, athletic facilities for
    championship events or tournaments, across similarly situated men's and
    women's athletic programs.

    SEC. 110. RULES GOVERNING CERTAIN MID-SEASON COACHING TRANSITIONS.

        (a) In General.--An individual who serves, or has served at any
    point during a competitive season, as football athletic personnel for a
    varsity sports team for intercollegiate football at an institution
    shall not, during that same competitive season, perform for another
    institution any duties or responsibilities customarily associated with
    a head coach of a varsity sports team for intercollegiate football,
    including, at a minimum--
                (1) recruiting or contacting prospective or current student
            athletes;
                (2) directing, participating in, or materially influencing
            recruiting strategy or evaluations;
                (3) directing, participating in, or materially influencing
            roster management decisions, including decisions relating to
            transfers;
                (4) facilitating, coordinating, negotiating, or otherwise
            materially influencing name, image, and likeness activities
            involving student athletes;
                (5) directing, supervising, or materially influencing
            coaching staff or team operations;
                (6) participating in practice planning, game preparation,
            strategic decision-making, or on-field activities;
                (7) publicly representing the institution in an
            intercollegiate football-related capacity in a manner that
            reflects or implies authority over the intercollegiate football
            program; and
                (8) undertaking any other activity customarily associated
            with a head coach of a varsity sports team for intercollegiate
            football.
        (b) Application.--Subsection (a) shall apply without regard to
    title, formal designation, compensation structure, employment status,
    or timing of any public announcement, and the applicable
    intercollegiate athletic association may prohibit any arrangement that,
    in substance or effect, provides an individual described in subsection
    (a) with authority or responsibilities customarily exercised by a head
    coach.
        (c) Determination of Ineligibility.--An individual described in
    subsection (a) who accepts employment, appointment, or designation as
    head coach of a varsity sports team for intercollegiate football at
    another institution during the same competitive season is ineligible to
    participate in intercollegiate athletic competition for intercollegiate
    football as head coach for the hiring institution through the
    conclusion of the competitive season, including any postseason
    competition, of the prior institution or the hiring institution,
    whichever occurs later.
        (d) Penalties for Non-compliance.--In the event an individual who
    accepts employment, appointment, or designation as head coach of a
    varsity sports team for intercollegiate football at another institution
    violates this section, that individual shall be ineligible to assume
    the duties as head coach of the varsity sports team for intercollegiate
    football at the hiring institution for the subsequent competitive
    season after the season in which the violation occurred and be subject
    to additional penalties sufficient to ensure compliance with this
    section.
        (e) Application.--This section applies only to institutions that
    compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision, as defined by bylaw 20.9.9 of
    the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw.
        (f) Definitions.--In this section:
                (1) Applicable intercollegiate athletic association.--The
            term ``applicable intercollegiate athletic association'' means
            only an intercollegiate athletic association that has at least
            one member institution that is a member of the Football Bowl
            Subdivision, as defined by bylaw 20.9.9 of the National
            Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw.
                (2) Competitive season.--The term ``competitive season''
            means the period beginning with the first regularly scheduled
            intercollegiate athletic competition for intercollegiate
            football for an institution during a season and ending with the
            conclusion of the final intercollegiate athletic competition
            for intercollegiate football for the institution during that
            season.
                (3) Football athletic personnel.--The term ``football
            athletic personnel'' means any individual employed by,
            contracted with, or otherwise engaged by an institution who
            provides coaching, instruction, recruiting, roster management,
            or training as the head coach or a coordinator, including an
            offensive, defensive, or special teams coordinator, of student
            athletes who are members of or participate with the varsity
            sports team for intercollegiate football of the institution.
                (4) Intercollegiate football.--The term ``intercollegiate
            football''--
                        (A) means football played between institutions for
                    which eligibility requirements for participation by a
                    student athlete are established by an intercollegiate
                    athletic association; and
                        (B) does not include a recreational, intramural, or
                    club sport.

    SEC. 111. STUDENT ATHLETE REPRESENTATION ON INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC
                  ASSOCIATION GOVERNING BOARDS.

        (a) In General.--Not less than 1/3 of the membership and voting
    power of any board of directors or other governing board, or committees
    with authority to establish and enforce rules or bylaws shall be
    comprised of current student athletes or former student athletes who
    have graduated from their institution during the preceding 10-year
    period.
        (b) Limitation.--
                (1) A former student athlete who is a current or former
            employee of an intercollegiate athletic association, a
            conference, or a member institution may not count towards the
            student athlete membership requirement pursuant to subsection
            (a); and
                (2) no member of any such board or committee shall vote on
            any matter that presents a conflict of interest for such
            member.

    SEC. 112. TRANSFER PROTECTIONS.

        An institution, a conference, an intercollegiate athletic
    association, or any representative of such entity shall permit a
    student athlete to transfer from one institution to another
    institution--
                (1) once without losing or delaying eligibility to
            participate in intercollegiate sports;
                (2) except as provided in paragraph (3), a second time with
            a loss of eligibility to participate in intercollegiate sports
            during the first academic year following the transfer; and
                (3) additionally, without losing or delaying eligibility to
            participate in intercollegiate sports, upon--
                        (A) discontinuation of a sport in which the student
                    athlete competes;
                        (B) the departure of the head coach of the student
                    athlete's varsity sports team;
                        (C) sexual assault or harassment of the student
                    athlete by an individual associated with the student
                    athlete's institution; or
                        (D) the student athlete pursuing a graduate degree.

    SEC. 113. ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERCOLLEGIATE SPORTS.

        (a) In General.--An individual is eligible to participate on a
    varsity sports team or in intercollegiate athletic competition if the
    individual--
                (1) is a student athlete;
                (2) meets uniform academic standards established by the
            relevant intercollegiate athletic association, conference, or
            institution;
                (3) is not a professional athlete; and
                (4) complies with established rules that restrict
            eligibility for violations of State or Federal law.
        (b) Years of Eligibility.--
                (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), a student
            athlete is eligible to compete in intercollegiate athletic
            competition for a maximum of 5 calendar years beginning on,
            whichever occurs first--
                        (A) the beginning of the academic year following
                    the 19th birthday of the student athlete; or
                        (B) the date the student athlete initially enrolls
                    full time at an institution.
                (2) Exceptions.--Paragraph (1) does not apply during a
            period of absence for any of the following:
                        (A) Reasons of pregnancy.
                        (B) Religious mission.
                        (C) Active-duty military service.
                        (D) Other periods of absence adopted by rule or
                    bylaw by an intercollegiate athletic association that
                    apply uniformly to all student athletes.
        (c) Restrictions on Eligibility.--
                (1) In general.--An intercollegiate athletic association or
            a conference may restrict the eligibility of a student athlete
            to participate in intercollegiate sports if the student
            athlete--
                        (A) used an illegal or performance enhancing drug;
                    or
                        (B) participated in sports wagering activities or
                    sports-related event contracts.
                (2) Code of conduct.--An institution may restrict the
            eligibility of a student athlete to participate in
            intercollegiate sports if the student athlete violated the code
            of conduct of the institution that applies to all students.
        (d) Clarification on Prize Money.--For purposes of subsection
    (a)(3), a student athlete who competes in a sport other than football
    or basketball shall not be considered a professional athlete based
    solely on the amount of prize money the student athlete received based
    on place finish or performance in an athletic event before or after
    enrollment in an institution, so long as--
                (1) the prize money was provided only by the sponsor of the
            athletics event; and
                (2) the sponsor of the athletics event is not an
            institution, employee of an institution, volunteer of an
            institution, collective, or an associated entity.
        (e) Transfer From 2-year Institution.--No intercollegiate athletic
    association or conference shall require a student athlete who transfers
    from a 2-year institution to a 4-year institution to meet additional or
    more stringent academic standards than the academic standards required
    for student athletes who transfer from a 4-year institution.
        (f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
    construed to restrict the ability of an institution to--
                (1) require student athletes to meet or maintain academic
            standards that are in addition to, or more stringent than, the
            standards described in subsection (a) if such standards are
            required of all students enrolled at the institution;
                (2) discipline or sanction a student athlete for violating
            a rule, regulation, or code of conduct that applies to all
            students enrolled at the institution; or
                (3) discipline or sanction a student athlete for violating
            a rule, regulation, or a code of conduct that applies to all
            student athletes participating in intercollegiate athletic
            competition at that institution.

    SEC. 114. PROHIBITED COMPENSATION AND AGREEMENTS.

        (a) Certain Agreements and Compensation Prohibited.--An
    institution, an employee of an institution, a volunteer of an
    institution, a conference, an employee of a conference, or an
    associated entity shall not--
                (1) except as provided in subsection (b), arrange, provide,
            offer, or permit, directly or indirectly, compensation in an
            amount that would circumvent or result in the institution
            exceeding the revenue share cap to--
                        (A) a student athlete, a group of student athletes,
                    or their family members; or
                        (B) a prospective student athlete, a group of
                    prospective student athletes, or their family members;
                    or
                (2) except for a name, image, and likeness agreement
            between a student athlete and an institution or between a
            prospective student athlete and an institution, enter into a
            name, image, and likeness agreement with a student athlete or
            prospective student athlete that is not--
                        (A) for a valid business purpose; and
                        (B) commensurate with compensation paid to
                    individuals with a similar profile, reputation, or
                    notability who are not student athletes or prospective
                    student athletes.
        (b) Personal Athletic and Education Benefits Permitted.--An
    intercollegiate athletic association, a conference, an institution, or
    any representative thereof shall not, pursuant to the Injunctive Relief
    Settlement Agreement approved by the court in ``In Re College Athlete
    NIL Litigation'', No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025), restrict
    the ability of a student athlete enrolled at an institution to receive
    compensation from an intercollegiate athletic association, an
    institution, a conference, or an associated entity, for personal
    benefits related to education or intercollegiate athletics, if those
    benefits are--
                (1) reasonable costs of transportation and temporary
            lodging for family members of a student athlete while the
            student athlete is experiencing a documented physical or mental
            health concern or participating in an intercollegiate athletic
            competition;
                (2) reasonable costs for meals, shelter, medical coverage,
            and medical expenses not provided or covered by the
            institution; or
                (3) reasonable education-related financial benefits, such
            as institution fees, books, or other incidental educational
            expenses that are not otherwise provided by the institution.
        (c) Valid Business Purpose.--Except for a name, image, and likeness
    agreement with an institution, a name, image, and likeness agreement
    with a student athlete shall be for a valid business purpose.
        (d) Payments to Coaches and Managers.--
                (1) In general.--An institution described in paragraph (2)
            may not compensate or otherwise provide or promise any type of
            payment or benefit of more than $500,000 to any coach,
            assistant coach, general manager, or other person who coaches
            or manages a varsity sports team by using, diverting,
            budgeting, or otherwise obtaining funds from any source other
            than college sports revenue or a donation or contribution to
            the athletic department of the institution.
                (2) Institution described.--An institution described in
            this paragraph is an institution with more than $80,000,000 in
            total annual athletics revenue during the preceding academic
            year.
        (e) Institution Defined.--In this section, the term ``institution''
    means--
                (1) an institution of higher education, as that term is
            defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
            U.S.C. 1001); and
                (2) an institution that is a party to, through membership
            in a conference or otherwise, ``In Re College Athlete NIL
            Litigation'', No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025), or has
            opted in to the Injunctive Relief Settlement in that case.

    SEC. 115. EXTENSION OF THE REVENUE SHARE CAP.

        (a) In General.--Upon expiration or termination of the Injunctive
    Relief Settlement Agreement approved by the court in ``In Re College
    Athlete NIL Litigation'', No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025), the
    revenue share cap shall continue to apply with respect to section
    114(a), including any adjustments specified in subsection (b).
        (b) Adjustment of Revenue Share Cap.--Upon expiration of the
    Injunctive Relief Settlement Agreement approved by the court in ``In Re
    College Athlete NIL Litigation'', No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6,
    2025), the annual revenue share cap shall be adjusted annually for
    inflation by the percent increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index
    for All-Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of
    the Department of Labor for the most recent 12-month period for which
    applicable data is available.

    SEC. 116. COMMISSION ON THE FUTURE OF COLLEGE ATHLETICS.

        (a) Commission on the Future of College Athletics.--
                (1) In general.--There is established within the
            legislative branch a commission, to be known as the
            ``Congressional Commission on the Future of College Athletics''
            (referred to in this section as the ``Commission''), for the
            purpose of providing recommendations on the future of college
            athletics.
                (2) Purpose.--The purpose of the commission is to provide
            recommendations for the future of college athletics.
        (b) Membership.--
                (1) Composition.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Commission
            shall be composed of 24 members, of whom--
                        (A) 4 members shall be appointed by the chair of
                    the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
                    of which at least 1 member shall be a student athlete
                    or former student athlete;
                        (B) 4 members shall be appointed by the ranking
                    member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
                    Transportation of the Senate, of which at least 1
                    member shall be a student athlete or former student
                    athlete;
                        (C) 4 members shall be appointed by the chair of
                    the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
                    Representatives, of which at least 1 member shall be a
                    student athlete or former student athlete;
                        (D) 4 members shall be appointed by the ranking
                    member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the
                    House of Representatives, of which at least 1 member
                    shall be a student athlete or former student athlete;
                        (E) 1 member shall be a current or former student
                    athlete appointed by the majority leader of the Senate,
                    in consultation with the chair of the Committee on
                    Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate;
                        (F) 1 member shall be a current or former student
                    athlete appointed by the minority leader of the Senate,
                    in consultation with the ranking member of the
                    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of
                    the Senate;
                        (G) 1 member shall be a current or former student
                    athlete appointed by Speaker of the House of
                    Representatives, in consultation with the chair of the
                    Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
                    Representatives;
                        (H) 1 member shall be a current or former student
                    athlete appointed by the minority leader of the House
                    of Representatives, in consultation with the ranking
                    member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the
                    House of Representatives;
                        (I) 1 member shall be a representative of a
                    historically Black college or university, appointed by
                    the majority leader of the Senate;
                        (J) 1 member shall be a representative of a
                    historically Black college or university, appointed by
                    the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
                        (K) 1 member shall be a representative of a mid-
                    sized conference, appointed by the majority leader of
                    the Senate; and
                        (L) 1 member shall be a representative of a mid-
                    sized conference, appointed by the Speaker of the House
                    of Representatives.
                (2) Requirements.--Members of the Commission shall be
            individuals who are nationally recognized for expertise,
            knowledge, or experience in matters related to college
            athletics, university administration, sports law, labor law,
            athlete welfare, sports economics, health care, or sports
            medicine.
                (3) Co-chairs, executive director, and staff.--
                        (A) Co-chairs.--The Commission shall have 2 co-
                    chairs, of whom--
                                (i) 1 co-chair shall be a member selected
                            by the majority party; and
                                (ii) 1 co-chair shall be a member selected
                            by the minority party.
                        (B) Executive director and staff.--The co-chairs of
                    the Commission shall appoint an executive director of
                    the Commission and such staff as appropriate, with
                    compensation.
                (4) Historically black college or university defined.--In
            this subsection, the term ``historically Black college or
            university'' has the meaning given the term ``part B
            institution'' in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of
            1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061).
                (5) Mid-sized conference defined.--In this subsection, the
            term ``mid-sized conference'' means any conference that has
            generated less than $500,000,000 in total annual revenue during
            the preceding academic year.
        (c) Authority.--The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out
    the duties of the Commission--
                (1) hold such hearings and sit and act at such times and
            places, take such testimony, receive such evidence, and
            administer such oaths; and
                (2) require, by subpoena issued upon a majority vote of the
            Commission, the attendance and testimony of such witnesses and
            the production of such books, records, correspondence,
            memoranda, papers, and documents as the Commission considers
            relevant to the purpose of the Commission.
        (d) Duties.--The duties of the Commission are as follows:
                (1) To study and develop recommendations regarding--
                        (A) an alternative structure for providing
                    compensation for student athletes, including
                    consideration of the positive and negative implications
                    associated with a collective bargaining structure and
                    employment status for student athletes;
                        (B) protecting and preserving athletic
                    opportunities for student athletes, particularly in
                    non-revenue generating, women's, and Olympic sports
                    intercollegiate athletic programs;
                        (C) whether any intercollegiate sport should be
                    subject to spending or cost limitations;
                        (D) whether to eliminate, extend, or change the
                    Pool Benefits Limit set forth in the Injunctive Relief
                    Settlement Agreement as approved or amended by the
                    court in ``In Re College Athlete NIL Litigation'', No.
                    20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025);
                        (E) compliance with endorsement contract reporting
                    requirements established by an athletic association or
                    a conference;
                        (F) adequacy of health and safety standards
                    established pursuant to this title and compliance with
                    those standards by institutions;
                        (G) the adequacy of the athlete agent provisions of
                    this title;
                        (H) the extent to which student athletes experience
                    abuse or mistreatment and measures that could protect
                    student athletes from such abuse or mistreatment;
                        (I) the benefits of the intercollegiate athletic
                    system, including consideration of how the balance of
                    education and athletics impacts the life skills,
                    educational opportunities, leadership skills, character
                    development, and personal growth of the student
                    athlete; and
                        (J) any other recommendations regarding
                    intercollegiate athletics.
                (2) To draft a joint resolution of approval under
            subsection (i) that provides for implementation of the
            recommendation of the Commission on whether to eliminate,
            raise, or lower the Pool Benefits Limit in section 114(a).
                (3) Not later than 5 years after the date of the enactment
            of this Act, to submit a report on the activities of the
            Commission, including recommendations for such legislative
            action as the Commission considers appropriate to--
                        (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
                    Transportation of the Senate;
                        (B) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the
                    House of Representatives; and
                        (C) the President.
        (e) Quorum.--Twelve members of the Commission, of which 5 members
    shall be current or former student athletes, shall constitute a quorum.
        (f) Initial Meeting.--The Commission shall hold an initial meeting
    not later than 30 days after the date on which a sufficient number of
    members have been appointed under subsection (b) to constitute a quorum
    pursuant to subsection (e).
        (g) Public Hearings.--The Commission shall hold 1 or more public
    hearings.
        (h) Status.--The Commission is not an agency (as defined in section
    551 of title 5, United States Code).
        (i) Joint Resolution.--Any Member of Congress may introduce a joint
    resolution for consideration to adopt any of the recommendations of the
    Commission, in whole or in part, including any recommendations from the
    Commission on whether to eliminate, raise, or lower the Pool Benefits
    Limit.
        (j) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate 90 days after the
    date on which the Commission submits the report required by this
    section.
        (k) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
    appropriated to the Commission such sums as may be necessary in any
    fiscal year, half of which shall be derived from the applicable account
    of the House of Representatives and half of which shall be derived from
    the contingent fund of the Senate.

    SEC. 117. RECRUITMENT AND TAMPERING.

        An intercollegiate athletic association may enforce provisions on
    recruitment and tampering of student athletes or prospective student
    athletes before and during their eligibility for intercollegiate
    athletic competition that--
                (1) prohibit an institution, an employee of an institution,
            a conference, an employee of a conference, or an associated
            entity from contacting a student athlete who is enrolled at or
            committed to another institution for the purpose of recruiting
            that student athlete to transfer to or enroll at an institution
            except for during a reasonable period of time for each sport
            that in no case shall be less than 2 weeks or greater than 5
            weeks starting 7 days after the last intercollegiate athletic
            competition in an academic year in the intercollegiate sport in
            which the student athlete competes and in which student
            athletes from the same intercollegiate athletic association
            competed;
                (2) prohibit an athlete agent from contacting an
            institution, employee of an institution, or institution
            associated on behalf of a student athlete who is enrolled at or
            committed to another institution for the purpose of
            facilitating the transfer or enrollment of the student athlete
            at the contacted institution except for during a reasonable
            period of time for each sport that in no case shall be less
            than 2 weeks or greater than 5 weeks starting 7 days after the
            last intercollegiate athletic competition in an academic year
            in the intercollegiate sport in which the student athlete
            competes and in which student athletes from the same
            intercollegiate athletic association competed;
                (3) prohibit an institution, an employee of an institution,
            a conference, an employee of a conference, an associated
            entity, or an athlete agent from recruiting or contacting a
            student athlete or prospective student athlete who has not
            affirmatively opted in to receive such recruitment or contact;
            or
                (4) prohibit an institution, an employee of an institution,
            a volunteer of an institution, an associated entity, an athlete
            agent, a conference, an employee of a conference, or a
            volunteer of a conference from inducing a student athlete to
            enroll at an institution or transfer to an institution by
            offering compensation to a student athlete in violation of
            paragraphs (1), (2), or (3).

    SEC. 118. LIMITATION ON LIABILITY.

        (a) In General.--It shall not be unlawful under the antitrust laws
    for an intercollegiate athletic association, a conference, or an
    institution to enforce or comply with, including through rules or
    bylaws--
                (1) section 114;
                (2) section 115;
                (3) section 113;
                (4) sections 101(a)(3) and 101(b)(1) and subparagraphs (A)
            and (B) of section 101(b)(2);
                (5) section 117;
                (6) section 112;
                (7) rules, bylaws, or requirements of an intercollegiate
            athletic association that determine whether a specific
            institution is selected to participate in a championship or
            tournament if the process for selecting participants is not
            entitled to antitrust exemption under this subsection;
                (8) section 103; and
                (9) section 110.
        (b) Sanctions by an Intercollegiate Athletic Association.--It shall
    not be unlawful under the antitrust laws for an intercollegiate
    athletic association or conference to, including through rules or
    bylaws--
                (1) impose a fine against an institution, an employee, or
            volunteer of an institution, a conference, an employee of a
            conference, or an associated entity for a violation of sections
            110, 112, 113, 114, 115, or 117;
                (2) restrict an institution, employee or volunteer of an
            institution, a conference, or an employee of a conference, from
            participation in intercollegiate athletic competition,
            including championships or tournaments, for a violation of
            sections 110, 112, 113, 114, 115, or 117;
                (3) restrict the eligibility of a student athlete who--
                        (A) is not eligible to participate in
                    intercollegiate athletic competition or participate on
                    a varsity sports team under section 113;
                        (B) has transferred to an institution in a manner
                    that does not comply with section 112; or
                        (C) has received compensation in contravention of
                    section 114 or section 115; or
                (4) decertify an athlete agent for violations of section
            103 or the amendments made by section 102.
        (c) Requirements for an Intercollegiate Athletic Association.--An
    intercollegiate athletic association shall not be entitled to the
    antitrust exemptions set forth in subsections (a) and (b) unless the
    intercollegiate athletic association has established rules, bylaws, or
    other regulations implementing paragraphs (1) through (9) of subsection
    (a) and paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (b).
        (d) Designation of Entity.--An intercollegiate athletic association
    or conference may designate an entity under its control pursuant to the
    Injunctive Relief Settlement Agreement approved by the court in ``In Re
    College Athlete NIL Litigation'', No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6,
    2025) for which it shall not be unlawful to enforce or comply with
    section 114.

    SEC. 119. PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION.

        (a) Violations.--A person may file a civil action in an appropriate
    district court of the United States or in an appropriate State court
    only for a violation of the following:
                (1) Subsections (a) and (c) of section 101.
                (2) Section 104.
                (3) Section 105.
                (4) Section 106.
                (5) Section 107.
                (6) Section 108.
                (7) Section 109.
                (8) Section 111.
                (9) Section 112, only to the extent the claim--
                        (A) alleges an intercollegiate athletic
                    association, a conference, or an institution has not
                    complied with the transfer standard set forth in
                    section 112;
                        (B) is filed against a Division I, Division II, or
                    Division III institution, as defined by bylaw 20 of the
                    National Collegiate Athletic Association as of the date
                    of the enactment of this Act, or an intercollegiate
                    athletic association or a conference comprised of any
                    such institutions; and
                        (C) is filed in an appropriate district court of
                    the United States.
                (10) Section 113, only to the extent the claim--
                        (A) alleges an intercollegiate athletic
                    association, a conference, or an institution has not
                    complied with the eligibility standard set forth in
                    section 113;
                        (B) is filed against a Division I, Division II, or
                    Division III institution, as defined by bylaw 20 of the
                    National Collegiate Athletic Association as of the date
                    of the enactment of this Act, or an intercollegiate
                    athletic association or a conference comprised of any
                    such institutions; and
                        (C) is filed in an appropriate district court of
                    the United States.
                (11) Section 114(b).
        (b) Limitation.--The protection from antitrust liability set forth
    in section 118 shall not be limited by a private right of action filed
    under subsection (a).
        (c) Relief.--In a civil action brought under subsection (a) in
    which the plaintiff prevails, the court may award the plaintiff--
                (1) actual damages; and
                (2) any other relief, including equitable relief or
            declaratory relief, that the court determines appropriate
            (including attorney's fees, if otherwise allowed under
            applicable law).
        (d) Limitation on Pre-dispute Agreements and Waivers.--
                (1) Pre-dispute arbitration agreement.--
                        (A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other
                    provision of law, no intercollegiate athletic
                    association, conference, or institution shall include a
                    pre-dispute arbitration agreement (as defined in
                    section 401 of title 9, United States Code) in an
                    agreement with a student athlete regarding a provision
                    of this title or an amendment made to this title.
                        (B) Treatment of claim.--If a claim for a violation
                    of this title arises, a student athlete has the option
                    to arbitrate the dispute if the intercollegiate
                    athletic association, conference, or institution agrees
                    to the arbitration.
                (2) Pre-dispute joint-action waiver.--Notwithstanding any
            other provision of law, no intercollegiate athletic association
            or conference shall enforce a pre-dispute joint-action waiver
            (as defined in section 401 of title 9, United States Code)
            against a student athlete or group of student athletes with
            respect to a dispute arising under this title or an amendment
            made to this title, so long as there are not fewer than 7 named
            plaintiffs.
        (e) Disputes Arising From Enforcement of Injunctive Relief
    Settlement.--Notwithstanding subsection (d)--
                (1) a claim made by any entity or individual subject to the
            injunctive relief provisions in ``In Re College Athlete NIL
            Litigation'', No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025),
            regarding whether a name, image, or likeness agreement is for a
            valid business purpose shall follow the procedure set forth in
            article 6, section 2, of such settlement; and
                (2) in any dispute regarding whether an institution, an
            employee of an institution, a volunteer of an institution, a
            conference, an employee of a conference, or an associated
            entity complied with paragraph (1) or (2) of section 114(a), an
            institution, an employee of an institution, a volunteer of an
            institution, a conference, an employee of a conference, or an
            associated entity shall follow the procedure set forth in
            article 6, section 2 of ``In Re College Athlete NIL
            Litigation'', No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025).
        (f) Notice Requirement for Civil Actions.--
                (1) In general.--A civil action may be brought by a person
            under this section only if, prior to filing such action, the
            plaintiff provides to the defendant 60 days written notice
            identifying the specific provisions set forth in subsection (a)
            that the plaintiff alleges have been or are being violated.
                (2) Effect of cure.--In the event a cure is possible, if,
            within the 60-day period under paragraph (1), the defendant
            cures the violation and provides the plaintiff with an express
            written statement that the violation has been cured and no such
            further violation shall occur, an action shall not be
            permitted.

    SEC. 120. WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION.

        (a) In General.--No institution, conference, or intercollegiate
    athletic association, or any agent thereof, may discharge, demote,
    suspend, withdraw or reduce benefits from, threaten, harass, or in any
    other manner discriminate against an employee, a student athlete, a
    prospective student athlete, a former student athlete, a contractor, a
    subcontractor, a service provider, or an agent of an institution, a
    conference, or an intercollegiate athletic association because of any
    lawful act done by such individual--
                (1) to provide information to, or cause information to be
            provided to, an agency of the Federal Government, an agency of
            State government, Congress, or any law enforcement agency
            regarding any act or omission that such individual reasonably
            believes to be a violation of this title; or
                (2) to file, cause to be filed, testify, participate in, or
            otherwise assist in a proceeding filed or about to be filed
            relating to an alleged violation of this title.
        (b) Enforcement Action.--
                (1) In general.--An individual aggrieved by a violation of
            subsection (a) may bring an action in the appropriate district
            court of the United States for the relief set forth in
            paragraph (2).
                (2) Relief.--An individual prevailing in any action under
            paragraph (1) may obtain--
                        (A) compensatory damages and the cost of the
                    action, including reasonable attorney's fees and other
                    litigation costs reasonably incurred;
                        (B) in addition to any other relief available at
                    law, equitable relief that may be necessary or
                    appropriate to correct a violation of subsection (a) or
                    make the individual whole again;
                        (C) temporary relief while the case is pending; and
                        (D) if the prevailing individual is an employee--
                                (i) reinstatement with the same seniority
                            status that the individual would have had, but
                            for the discrimination; and
                                (ii) backpay otherwise owed to the
                            individual, with interest.
        (c) Rights Retained by Individual.--Nothing in this section shall
    be construed to diminish the rights, privileges, or remedies of any
    individual under any Federal or State law, or under any labor contract.
        (d) Nonenforceability of Certain Provisions Waiving Rights and
    Remedies or Requiring Arbitration of Disputes.--
                (1) Waiver of rights and remedies.--The rights and remedies
            provided for in this section may not be waived by any
            agreement, policy form, condition of employment, or athletic
            agreement or participation.
                (2) Predispute arbitration agreements.--No predispute
            arbitration agreement shall be valid or enforceable if the
            agreement requires arbitration of a dispute arising under this
            section.

    SEC. 121. RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING LAW.

        (a) In General.--No State or political subdivision of a State may
    adopt, maintain, enforce, or continue in effect any law, regulation,
    rule, requirement, or standard that--
                (1) conflicts with any provision of this title that would
            prevent compliance with this title; or
                (2) governs, regulates, or invalidates policies or rules of
            an institution, a conference, or an intercollegiate athletic
            association that regulates--
                        (A) the compensation to a student athlete or
                    prospective student athlete for the use of their name,
                    image, or likeness, except as necessary to comply with
                    this title;
                        (B) transfers of student athletes between
                    institutions; or
                        (C) any provision described in section 113 relating
                    to the eligibility of a student athlete to participate
                    in intercollegiate athletics.
        (b) Preservation of State Laws.--The following State laws, rules,
    regulations, or requirements, or common law rights or remedies shall
    not be preempted, displaced, or supplanted:
                (1) Except to the extent that such law rule, regulation,
            requirement, or common law right or remedy conflicts with
            subsection (a), the following:
                        (A) Uniform Athlete Agent Acts.
                        (B) Civil rights laws.
                        (C) Tort law, unless otherwise specified in
                    paragraph (2).
                        (D) Criminal law.
                        (E) Laws that relate to student or campus safety.
                        (F) Fraud.
                        (G) Privacy or data breach.
                        (H) Contract law.
                        (I) Trademark law.
                        (J) Copyright law.
                        (K) Consumer protection law.
                (2) Except to the extent that such law conflicts with
            subsection (a)(2), any law, whether statutory or common law,
            that gives rise to a cause of action for the following:
                        (A) Personal injury, including psychological
                    injury.
                        (B) Wrongful death.
                        (C) Property damage.
                        (D) Sexual assault.
                        (E) Injury.
                        (F) Harassment.
                        (G) Any cause of action derivative of any of
                    subparagraphs (A) through (F).
        (c) Rules of Construction.--
                (1) Antitrust laws.--To the extent liability for violations
            of the antitrust laws is not limited by this title, subsection
            (a) shall not be construed to preempt, displace, or supplant
            the antitrust laws.
                (2) Federal trademark and copyright law.--Nothing in this
            title or the amendments made by this title may be construed to
            override, modify, or amend the applicability of Federal
            trademark or copyright law.

    SEC. 122. NEUTRALITY ON EMPLOYEE OR NON-EMPLOYEE STATUS.

        This title is neutral on, and does nothing to alter, employee or
    non-employee status for student athletes.

    SEC. 123. APPLICABILITY.

        Section 113(c)(1)(B) shall apply with respect to any action or
    proceeding that is pending on or commenced on or after the date of the
    enactment of this Act.

    SEC. 124. SEVERABILITY.

        If any provision of this title, or an amendment made by this title,
    is determined to be unenforceable or invalid, the remaining provisions
    of this title and the amendments made by this title shall not be
    affected.

    SEC. 125. PROTECTION OF WOMEN'S SPORTS AND OLYMPIC SPORTS.

        (a) In General.--An intercollegiate athletic association or
    conference comprised of Division I institutions, as defined by bylaw
    20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor
    bylaw, shall not reduce the minimum intercollegiate athletic
    competitions, minimum participants on a varsity sports team, or the
    number of varsity sports teams, including the number of men's and
    women's varsity sports teams or Olympic varsity sports teams, that an
    institution must sponsor for membership within--
                (1) Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic
            Association, as defined by bylaw 20.9 of the National
            Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw; or
                (2) the Football Bowl Subdivision, as defined by bylaw
            20.9.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or
            successor bylaw.
        (b) Large-sized Institutions.--
                (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), an
            intercollegiate athletic association or conference comprised of
            institutions shall provide that each institution shall,
            consistent with applicable intercollegiate athletic association
            rules, offer and maintain at least as many total grant-in-aid
            opportunities and roster spots for non-revenue generating
            intercollegiate sports programs, including women's and Olympic
            intercollegiate sports programs, during each academic year as
            the member institution provided during academic year 2024-2025.
                (2) Waiver.--
                        (A) In general.--An institution may be granted a
                    waiver from compliance with paragraph (1) for not more
                    than one academic year at a time by an intercollegiate
                    athletic association if the institution provides
                    evidence that--
                                (i) annual athletics revenues have declined
                            not less than 15 percent based on the average
                            of the preceding three academic years, and
                            total grant-in-aid accounts for not less than
                            45 percent of the total expenses of the
                            athletic department of the institution;
                                (ii) compliance with paragraph (1) would
                            materially impair the ability of the
                            institution to comply with Federal law; or
                                (iii) there are extraordinary circumstances
                            relating to financial hardship, including from
                            a natural disaster, act of war, or another
                            catastrophe, that are beyond the control of the
                            institution or materially impair the ability of
                            the institution to comply with paragraph (1).
                        (B) Condition.--As a condition of seeking a waiver
                    under subparagraph (A)(i), an institution shall first
                    reduce the total compensation of the coaching staff of
                    its revenue-generating varsity sports programs by the
                    same proportion as any planned reduction in
                    expenditures for its non-revenue generating
                    intercollegiate sports programs during the waiver
                    period.
                (3) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                        (A) Institution.--The term ``institution'' means an
                    institution, as defined by bylaw 20.9 of the National
                    Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw,
                    that, upon the date of the enactment of this Act,
                    reports, as required under section 485(g) of the Higher
                    Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(g)), having
                    generated not less than $80,000,000 in total annual
                    athletics revenue during the preceding academic year.
                        (B) Non-revenue generating intercollegiate sports
                    program.--the term ``non-revenue generating
                    intercollegiate sports program'' means an
                    intercollegiate sports program at an institution for
                    which, during an academic year, the revenues generated
                    specifically attributable to that sports program are
                    less than the direct and allocated operating expenses
                    of that sports program.
                (4) Sunset.--This subsection shall terminate on the date
            that is 9 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
        (c) Transitional Protection for Women's and Olympic Sports at Mid-
    sized Institutions.--
                (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), an
            intercollegiate athletic association or conference comprised of
            covered mid-sized institutions shall provide that each such
            institution shall, consistent with applicable intercollegiate
            athletic association rules, offer and maintain at least as many
            total grant-in-aid opportunities and roster spots for non-
            revenue generating intercollegiate sports programs, including
            women's and Olympic intercollegiate sports programs, during
            each academic year as the institution provided during academic
            year 2024-2025.
                (2) Exemptions.--An institution shall be exempt from the
            requirement under paragraph (1) for an academic year if--
                        (A) the total annual athletics revenue of the
                    institution, as reported under section 485(g) of the
                    Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(g)),
                    declined by not less than 15 percent from the
                    immediately preceding academic year;
                        (B) the institution petitions the relevant
                    intercollegiate athletic association for, and is
                    granted, an exemption based on a demonstrable financial
                    hardship;
                        (C) compliance with that paragraph would materially
                    impair the ability of the institution to comply with
                    Federal law; or
                        (D) there are extraordinary circumstances relating
                    to financial hardship, including from a natural
                    disaster, act of war, or other circumstance that is
                    beyond the control of the institution or materially
                    impair the ability of the institution to comply with
                    that paragraph.
                (3) Covered mid-sized institution defined.--In this
            subsection, the term ``covered mid-sized institution'' means an
            institution, as defined by bylaw 20.9 of the National
            Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw, that,
            upon the date of the enactment of this Act, reports, as
            required under section 485(g) of the Higher Education Act of
            1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(g)), having generated not less than
            $50,000,000 but less than $80,000,000 in total annual athletics
            revenue during the preceding academic year.
                (4) Sunset.--This subsection shall terminate on the date
            that is 4 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
        (d) Clarification of Walk-on Athlete Eligibility for Para
    Athletes.--
                (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any provision of this
            Act--
                        (A) an institution and the athletic director of an
                    institution shall retain full authority to include para
                    athletes on their roster spots for intercollegiate
                    sports as walk-on athletes;
                        (B) subparagraph (A) does not constitute a
                    violation of roster or scholarship limits for
                    intercollegiate sports covered under this Act or under
                    ``In Re College Athlete NIL Litigation'', No. 20-cv-
                    03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025); and
                        (C) para athletes included as walk-on athletes
                    shall not be counted toward any roster cap or
                    scholarship count established for that intercollegiate
                    sport.
                (2) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                        (A) Para athlete.--The term ``para athlete'' means
                    a nationally or internationally classified athlete
                    eligible to compete in the Paralympic Games pursuant to
                    qualifications determined by the United States Olympic
                    and Paralympic Committee under chapter 2205 of title
                    36, United States Code.
                        (B) Walk-on athlete.--The term ``walk-on athlete''
                    means an enrolled student athlete who participates on a
                    sport roster without receiving athletics-based
                    scholarship aid.

    SEC. 126. MID-SIZED CONFERENCE REPRESENTATION ON INTERCOLLEGIATE
                  ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION GOVERNING BOARDS.

        (a) In General.--An intercollegiate athletic association, of which
    a mid-sized conference is a member, shall ensure any board of directors
    or other governing board of the intercollegiate athletic association,
    or any committee of the intercollegiate athletic association with
    authority to establish and enforce rules or bylaws, is comprised of
    adequate representation by mid-sized conferences.
        (b) Mid-sized Conference Defined.--In this section, the term ``mid-
    sized conference'' means any conference that has generated less than
    $500,000,000 in total annual revenue during the preceding academic
    year.

                         TITLE II--SPORTS BROADCASTING

    SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS.

        (a) References to Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.--In this Act,
    the term ``Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961'' means the Act of September
    30, 1961 (15 U.S.C. 1291 et seq.).
        (b) Amendments to Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.--The Sports
    Broadcasting Act of 1961 is amended--
                (1) by redesignating sections 5 and 6 (15 U.S.C. 1295, 1291
            note) as sections 8 and 9, respectively; and
                (2) in section 8, as so redesignated--
                        (A) by striking ``As used in this Act, `persons'
                    means'' and inserting the following: ``As used in this
                    Act:''
                ``(12) Persons.--The term `persons' means'';
                        (B) by inserting before paragraph (12), as so
                    designated, the following:
                ``(1) Collective media rights revenue.--The term
            `collective media rights revenue' means revenue derived from
            the sale or transfer of the media rights of the member
            institutions and member conferences of the covered entity
            resulting from the joint agreement described in section 5.
                ``(2) Conference.--The term `conference' means any
            organization that is not an intercollegiate athletic
            association and that--
                        ``(A) has 2 or more institutions as members; and
                        ``(B) arranges championships for intercollegiate
                    athletic competitions or sets rules for intercollegiate
                    athletic competitions.
                ``(3) Covered entity.--The term `covered entity' means the
            entity formed by a joint agreement of institutions or
            conferences described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of section
            5(b)(1) that meets each of the requirements under section 5.
                ``(4) Grant-in-aid.--The term `grant-in-aid'--
                        ``(A) means a scholarship, grant, stipend, or other
                    form of financial assistance, including the provision
                    of tuition, room, board, books, or funds for fees or
                    personal expenses, that--
                                ``(i) is paid or provided by an institution
                            to a student for the undergraduate or graduate
                            course of study of the student; and
                                ``(ii) is in an amount that does not exceed
                            the cost of attendance for the student at the
                            institution; and
                        ``(B) does not include compensation paid to an
                    individual who is a student athlete or a former student
                    athlete.
                ``(5) Institution.--The term `institution' has the meaning
            given the term `institution of higher education' in section 101
            of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).
                ``(6) Intercollegiate athletic association.--The term
            `intercollegiate athletic association'--
                        ``(A) means any organization, not-for-profit
                    corporation, association, or other group organized in
                    the United States that--
                                ``(i) is composed of 2 or more institutions
                            or conferences that--
                                        ``(I) are located in different
                                    States; or
                                        ``(II) participate in
                                    intercollegiate athletic competitions
                                    in more than 1 State;
                                ``(ii) sponsors or arranges intercollegiate
                            athletic competitions between institutions;
                                ``(iii) sets common rules, standards,
                            procedures, or guidelines for the
                            administration of intercollegiate athletic
                            competition; and
                                ``(iv) is not a conference;
                        ``(B) includes--
                                ``(i) the National Collegiate Athletic
                            Association; and
                                ``(ii) any other national intercollegiate
                            athletic association; and
                        ``(C) does not include a corporation, association,
                    or other group affiliated with professional athletic
                    competition.
                ``(7) Intercollegiate athletic competition.--The term
            `intercollegiate athletic competition' means any varsity
            intercollegiate sport contest, game, meet, match, tournament,
            regatta, or other intercollegiate sport event in which student
            athletes or varsity sports teams compete.
                ``(8) Intercollegiate football.--The term `intercollegiate
            football' means the intercollegiate sport of football.
                ``(9) Intercollegiate sport.--The term `intercollegiate
            sport'--
                        ``(A) means a sport played at the intercollegiate
                    level, administered by an athletic department, between
                    institutions for which eligibility requirements for
                    participation by a student athlete are established by
                    an intercollegiate athletic association; and
                        ``(B) does not include a recreational, intramural,
                    or club sport.
                ``(10) Member conference.--The term `member conference',
            with respect to the covered entity, means a conference that is
            a member of the covered entity.
                ``(11) Member institution.--The term `member institution',
            with respect to the covered entity, means an institution that
            is a member of the covered entity.''; and
                        (C) by inserting after paragraph (12), as so
                    redesignated, the following:
                ``(13) Student athlete.--The term `student athlete' means
            an individual who--
                        ``(A) is enrolled as a full-time student at an
                    institution;
                        ``(B) makes satisfactory progress towards
                    completing a degree; and
                        ``(C) participates in intercollegiate athletic
                    competitions or competes for a varsity sports team as
                    part of the institution's educational, developmental,
                    or extracurricular programs.
                ``(14) Top 5 historic opponents in intercollegiate
            football.--The term `top 5 historic opponents in
            intercollegiate football', with respect to an institution,
            means the 5 other institutions against which the institution
            has played the most intercollegiate athletic competitions
            within intercollegiate football.
                ``(15) Top 10 historic opponents in intercollegiate
            football.--The term `top 10 historic opponents in
            intercollegiate football', with respect to an institution,
            means the 10 other institutions against which the institution
            has played the most intercollegiate athletic competitions
            within intercollegiate football.
                ``(16) Traditional rivalry.--The term `traditional rivalry'
            means an intercollegiate athletic competition within
            intercollegiate football that is between varsity sports teams
            of 2 institutions that--
                        ``(A) are both members of the covered entity;
                        ``(B) are not members of the same conference; and
                        ``(C) rank among each other's top 10 historic
                    opponents in intercollegiate football.
                ``(17) Varsity sports team.--The term `varsity sports team'
            means a team composed of student athletes that is organized by
            an institution for the purpose of intercollegiate athletic
            competitions.''.

    SEC. 202. LIMITATION ON LIABILITY FOR TRANSMISSION OF COLLEGIATE SPORTS
                  COMPETITIONS.

        (a) In General.--Section 1 of the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961
    (15 U.S.C. 1291) is amended--
                (1) by striking ``That the'' and inserting the following:

    ``SECTION 1. EXEMPTION OF CERTAIN AGREEMENTS FROM ANTITRUST LAWS.

        ``(a) Professional Sports.--The''; and
                (2) by adding at the end the following:
        ``(b) College Sports.--The antitrust laws, as defined in subsection
    (a), shall not apply to any joint agreement, by or among institutions
    engaging in or conducting organized intercollegiate sports, or
    conferences that have such institutions as members, to form and operate
    a covered entity that complies with and enforces the requirements of
    section 5 and sells or otherwise transfers to a third party all or any
    part of the rights of the institutions or conferences in the sponsored
    telecasting of the intercollegiate athletic competitions engaged in or
    conducted by the institutions or conferences.''.
        (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--The Sports Broadcasting
    Act of 1961 is amended--
                (1) in section 2 (15 U.S.C. 1292)--
                        (A) by striking ``Section 1'' and inserting
                    ``Section 1(a)''; and
                        (B) by striking ``in section 1'' and inserting ``in
                    section 1(a)'';
                (2) in section 3 (15 U.S.C. 1293), by striking ``section
            1'' each place it appears and inserting ``section 1(a)''; and
                (3) in section 4 (15 U.S.C. 1294), by striking ``section
            1'' and inserting ``section 1(a)''.

    SEC. 203. REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTITIES SELLING MEDIA RIGHTS.

        The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, as amended by section
    201(b)(1) of this Act, is amended by inserting after section 4 (15
    U.S.C. 1294) the following:

    ``SEC. 5. REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTITIES SELLING MEDIA RIGHTS.

        ``(a) Condition on Antitrust Exemption.--Section 1(b) shall not
    apply to any joint agreement entered into by institutions or
    conferences to form the covered entity unless the covered entity
    complies with the requirements under this section and section 6.
        ``(b) Membership of the Covered Entity.--
                ``(1) Eligible membership.--A joint agreement to form the
            covered entity shall be comprised of a voluntary association of
            institutions or conferences that includes, at a minimum, as of
            the date on which the joint agreement is entered into, not less
            than 75 percent of the institutions participating in the
            Football Bowl Subdivision, as defined by Bylaw 20.9.9 of the
            National Collegiate Athletic Association.
                ``(2) Invitation requirement.--
                        ``(A) In general.--The covered entity shall offer
                    membership on fair and nondiscriminatory terms to each
                    conference and each institution that is in Division I,
                    as defined by Bylaw 20.9 of the National Collegiate
                    Athletic Association as of the date of enactment of the
                    Protect College Sports Act of 2026.
                        ``(B) Optional participation.--No conference or
                    institution shall be required to join the covered
                    entity or accept an offer under subparagraph (A), but
                    no conference or institution eligible for membership
                    under subparagraph (A) may be refused an invitation to
                    join the covered entity.
        ``(c) Voting Rights.--
                ``(1) In general.--
                        ``(A) Votes of conferences and institutions.--
                    Subject to subparagraph (C), the covered entity shall--
                                ``(i) in the bylaws of the covered entity--
                                        ``(I) provide that each member
                                    conference or member institution has 1
                                    vote on each type of decision or
                                    determination described in paragraph
                                    (2); and
                                        ``(II) specify the minimum number
                                    of votes required for each type of
                                    decision or determination described in
                                    paragraph (2); and
                                ``(ii) require the bylaws to be adopted
                            unanimously by the member conferences and
                            member institutions.
                        ``(B) Votes of student athletes.--The covered
                    entity shall--
                                ``(i) for purposes of decisions and
                            determinations described in paragraph (2)(C),
                            designate not fewer than 10 individuals who, as
                            of the date of designation, are student
                            athletes or were student athletes during the
                            preceding 10-year period; and
                                ``(ii) ensure that each individual
                            designated under clause (i) has 1 vote on a
                            decision or determination described in
                            paragraph (2)(C).
                        ``(C) Non-voting member conferences.--If a
                    conference and 1 or more of the institutions of the
                    conference are members of the covered entity, the
                    conference shall be a non-voting member of the covered
                    entity.
                ``(2) Voting thresholds.--
                        ``(A) Major decisions.--A major decision, as
                    defined by the bylaws of the covered entity, shall
                    require a vote totaling not less than \2/3\ of the
                    member conferences or member institutions exercising
                    their voting rights.
                        ``(B) Non-major decisions.--A non-major decision,
                    as defined by the bylaws of the covered entity, shall
                    require a vote totaling not less than a majority of the
                    member conferences or member institutions exercising
                    their voting rights.
                        ``(C) Revenue distributions or changes to voting
                    allocations.--A determination regarding the allocation
                    of collective media rights revenue or a decision to
                    change a voting threshold described in this paragraph
                    shall require a unanimous vote of the member
                    conferences, member institutions, or current or former
                    student athletes exercising their voting rights.
                        ``(D) Media rights requirement.--A determination of
                    which media rights shall be contributed to the covered
                    entity pursuant to subsection (f) shall require a
                    unanimous vote of the member conferences or member
                    institutions exercising their voting rights.
        ``(d) Revenue Allocation Formula.--
                ``(1) Method.--Not less frequently than once each academic
            year, the covered entity shall distribute the collective media
            rights revenue among member conferences and member
            institutions--
                        ``(A) according to the allocation of collective
                    media rights revenue most recently determined in
                    accordance with subsection (c)(2)(C); and
                        ``(B) in accordance with the requirements of this
                    subsection.
                ``(2) Requirements.--The distribution of collective media
            rights revenue under paragraph (1) shall--
                        ``(A) ensure that--
                                ``(i) each member conference or member
                            institution receives a minimum distribution of
                            collective media rights revenue, the amount of
                            which shall be established under a bylaw
                            adopted in accordance with subsection
                            (c)(2)(C); and
                                ``(ii) each member institution receives
                            more collective media rights revenue (excluding
                            revenue from the College Football Playoff)
                            during each academic year than the largest
                            amount of collective media rights revenue
                            (excluding revenue from the College Football
                            Playoff) that the institution received in any
                            single academic year during the period of
                            academic year 2021-2022 through academic year
                            2024-2025;
                        ``(B) distribute not less than 15 percent of the
                    collective media rights revenue that remains after
                    compliance with subparagraph (A) equally among all
                    member institutions that received revenue from
                    intercollegiate athletic competitions within
                    intercollegiate football in the Football Bowl
                    Subdivision during academic year 2024-2025; and
                        ``(C) distribute the collective media rights
                    revenue that remains after compliance with
                    subparagraphs (A) and (B) to member institutions based
                    on the performance of each institution during the
                    academic year with respect to the institution's
                    contribution to the collective media rights revenue.
                ``(3) Transfer of revenue.--Before distributing collective
            media rights revenue under paragraph (1), the covered entity
            shall, in accordance with section 106, transfer an amount of
            collective media rights revenue to the fund or program
            established under that section to ensure that the program or
            fund is adequately funded.
        ``(e) Protection of Women's and Olympic Sports.--
                ``(1) In general.--Any member institution that receives
            collective media rights revenue shall, consistent with
            applicable intercollegiate athletic association rules, offer
            and maintain at least as many grant-in-aid opportunities and
            roster spots for non-revenue generating intercollegiate sports
            programs, including women's and Olympic intercollegiate sports
            programs, during each academic year as the member institution
            provided during the 2024-2025 academic year.
                ``(2) Definition.--For purposes of this subsection, the
            term `non-revenue generating intercollegiate sports program'
            means an intercollegiate sports program at an institution for
            which, during an academic year, the revenues generated
            specifically attributable to that sports program are less than
            the direct and allocated operating expenses of that sports
            program.
        ``(f) Contribution of Media Rights.--
                ``(1) Condition of participation.--The covered entity shall
            require each member institution or member conference, as a
            condition of receiving a distribution of collective media
            rights revenue from the covered entity, to contribute to the
            covered entity, for sale by the covered entity, the media
            rights of the member institution or member conference,
            determined by a vote described in subsection (c)(2)(D), with
            the exception of the rights in the sponsored telecasting of the
            basketball tournaments organized by the National Collegiate
            Athletic Association.
                ``(2) Exclusive authority.--The covered entity shall have
            the exclusive authority to negotiate, sell, license,
            sublicense, and otherwise transfer on a pooled basis media
            rights contributed under paragraph (1), with the exception of
            the rights in the sponsored telecasting of the basketball
            tournaments organized by the National Collegiate Athletic
            Association.
                ``(3) Binding agreement.--The covered entity shall maintain
            a written agreement, binding on all member institutions or
            member conferences, that governs the collection and
            distribution of collective media rights revenue for the
            duration of the agreement.
                ``(4) Preservation of carriage, distribution, and promotion
            of women's and olympic sports.--In any joint agreement entered
            into by a covered entity which includes media rights in
            football or basketball conveyed pursuant to a vote described in
            subsection (c)(2)(D), the covered entity shall take reasonable
            efforts to promote and distribute the media rights for non-
            revenue generating intercollegiate sports programs in the
            regular season and post-season, as well as preserve the current
            levels of carriage, distribution, and promotion.
        ``(g) Preservation of Conference Opponents and Traditional
    Rivalries.--
                ``(1) Conference opponents.--If, as of the date of
            enactment of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026, more than
            6 of the top 10 historic opponents in intercollegiate football
            of a member institution were intra-conference opponents of the
            member institution in intercollegiate football during the most
            recently completed season, the covered entity shall require the
            member institution to preserve, to the maximum extent
            practicable, intercollegiate athletic competitions within
            intercollegiate football amongst all of its current conference
            opponents as of that date of enactment.
                ``(2) Traditional rivalries.--
                        ``(A) In general.--If, as of the date of enactment
                    of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026, more than 2
                    of the top 10 historic opponents in intercollegiate
                    football of a member institution were out-of-conference
                    opponents of the member institution in intercollegiate
                    football during the most recently completed season, the
                    covered entity shall require the member institution to
                    play intercollegiate athletic competitions within
                    intercollegiate football that constitute traditional
                    rivalries, and ensure that--
                                ``(i) the member institution plays not
                            fewer than 2 intercollegiate athletic
                            competitions within intercollegiate football
                            that constitute a traditional rivalry every 4
                            years; and
                                ``(ii) the member institution plays not
                            less than 1 intercollegiate athletic
                            competition within intercollegiate football
                            each year with an institution that is in a
                            different conference and is one of the top 5
                            historic opponents in intercollegiate football
                            of the member institution.
                        ``(B) Institutions with fewer than 4 out-of-
                    conference rivals.--If a member institution is subject
                    to the requirements under subparagraph (A), and fewer
                    than 4 of the top 10 historic opponents of the member
                    institution in intercollegiate football are member
                    institutions that belong to a different conference, the
                    member institution shall seek to comply with clauses
                    (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A) to the extent
                    practicable.
                        ``(C) Savings clause.--Nothing in this paragraph
                    shall be construed to affect the ability of a member
                    institution to engage in intercollegiate athletic
                    competitions within intercollegiate football against
                    any other member institution within the same conference
                    that was 1 of the top 10 historic opponents in
                    intercollegiate football of the member institution as
                    of the date of enactment of the Protect College Sports
                    Act of 2026.
                ``(3) Periodic review; authority to modify requirements.--8
            years after the date of enactment of the Protect College Sports
            Act of 2026, and periodically thereafter, but not more
            frequently than once every 4 years, the covered entity--
                        ``(A) may review the effects of the requirements
                    under this subsection on fan interest, student
                    athletes, media revenues, and preservation of
                    traditional rivalries and historic opponents; and
                        ``(B) may modify the requirements under this
                    subsection.
        ``(h) Enforcement of the Act; Right to Cure.--
                ``(1) Private right of action.--Subject to paragraph (2), a
            person aggrieved by a violation of section 1(b), this section,
            section 6, or section 7, including a party to a joint agreement
            to form the covered entity, may bring a civil action against
            the covered entity in an appropriate district court of the
            United States.
                ``(2) Notice and opportunity to cure.--A person may only
            bring a civil action under paragraph (1) for a violation of
            section 1(b), this section, section 6, or section 7 if--
                        ``(A) not later than 1 year before bringing the
                    civil action, the person provides to the defendant
                    specific notice of the violation and an opportunity to
                    cure the violation; and
                        ``(B) the defendant does not cure the violation
                    during the 1-year period beginning on the date of the
                    notice described in subparagraph (A).
        ``(i) Participation in Covered Entity Optional.--
                ``(1) In general.--Nothing in this Act shall, under Federal
            or State law, establish or be construed to require, mandate, or
            encourage any institution or conference to join, participate
            in, or transfer any media rights to the covered entity or to
            create or give rise to any duty, obligation, or standard of
            care to take such action.
                ``(2) Effect on liability.--Nothing in this Act, any
            amendments made by this Act, or a decision by an institution or
            conference to decline to join or participate in the covered
            entity may be used to support any claim, cause of action, or
            theory of liability under Federal or State law that would
            impose liability on an institution or conference or compel an
            institution or conference to join or participate in the covered
            entity.
                ``(3) No abrogation of existing contracts.--Nothing in this
            section shall be construed to abrogate, terminate, or modify a
            contract or other legally enforceable agreement in effect on
            the date of enactment of the Protect College Sports Act of
            2026, or to provide a defense to or immunity from a claim
            arising from breach or nonperformance of such contract or
            legally enforceable agreement.''.

    SEC. 204. MARKET LEVEL BROADCAST ACCESS FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND
                  BASKETBALL.

        The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 is amended by inserting after
    section 5 (as added by section 203 of this Act) the following:

    ``SEC. 6. MARKET-LEVEL BROADCAST ACCESS FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND
                  BASKETBALL.

        ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
                ``(1) Designated market area.--The term `designated market
            area' has the meaning given the term in section 122(j)(2)(C) of
            title 17, United States Code.
                ``(2) Local designated market area.--
                        ``(A) In general.--The term `local designated
                    market area' means an area that--
                                ``(i) consists of a designated market area
                            that includes the principal campus of an
                            institution that is a member of the covered
                            entity; and
                                ``(ii) at the election of the member
                            institution and the applicable network,
                            distributor, or licensee holding market-level
                            rights, may include not more than 1 additional
                            geographically adjacent designated market area,
                            or designated market area within the State in
                            which the principal campus of the member
                            institution is located, in which a substantial
                            portion of the student body, alumni, or in-
                            State resident population of the member
                            institution resides.
                        ``(B) Publication of list.--The Federal
                    Communications Commission shall--
                                ``(i) not later than 180 days after the
                            date of enactment of the Protect College Sports
                            Act of 2026, publish a list of designated
                            market areas described in subparagraph (A); and
                                ``(ii) maintain the list described in
                            clause (i) on a public website.
                ``(3) Local outlet option.--The term `Local Outlet option'
            means the opportunity for not less than 1 outlet to carry a
            live intercollegiate athletic competition without charge to
            viewers within the local designated market area of a member
            institution that is participating in the competition.
        ``(b) Requirement of Local Outlet Option.--
                ``(1) In general.--As a condition of the exemption under
            section 1(b)(1), the covered entity shall make commercially
            available by purchase or license, on a non-exclusive basis, for
            each intercollegiate athletic competition in football or
            basketball, not less than 1 Local Outlet option in the local
            designated market area of each member institution participating
            in the competition.
                ``(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in paragraph (1) shall
            be construed to require carriage of an intercollegiate athletic
            competition by more than 1 Local Outlet in a given designated
            market area.
                ``(3) No effect on national media agreements.--Nothing in
            paragraph (1) shall limit the covered entity's ability to
            negotiate nationwide or regional media agreements.
                ``(4) Requirement fulfillment.--A national rights holder
            may satisfy the requirement under paragraph (1) by making
            intercollegiate athletic competitions available to viewers in
            the applicable local designated market areas using an offering
            that the rights holder owns or is affiliated with that is
            freely available to viewers.
        ``(c) Good Faith Negotiation.--
                ``(1) In general.--Each covered entity, and any network,
            distributor, or licensee holding market-level rights or seeking
            Local Outlet option rights to intercollegiate athletic
            competitions described in subsection (b), shall negotiate in
            good faith to fulfill the requirement of that subsection.
                ``(2) Enforcement.--The Federal Communications Commission
            shall have jurisdiction over complaints alleging a violation of
            paragraph (1).''.

    SEC. 205. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN CONFERENCE MERGERS OR ACQUISITION.

        The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 is amended by inserting after
    section 6 (as added by section 204 of this Act) the following:

    ``SEC. 7. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN CONFERENCE MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS.

        ``(a) In General.--It shall be unlawful under the antitrust laws,
    as defined in section 1(a), for any covered conference that reported
    more than $700,000,000 in revenue on its fiscal year 2025 tax return or
    any subsequent tax return to merge or consolidate with, or to acquire
    the assets, media rights (including media rights of an institution), or
    membership of, another covered conference or of an independent
    institution, if as a result of the transaction, the number of
    institutions that are members of the covered conference would be less
    than 75 percent of the institutions participating in the Football Bowl
    Subdivision, as defined by Bylaw 20.9.9 of the National Collegiate
    Athletic Association.
        ``(b) Defenses Not Applicable.--A transaction prohibited under
    subsection (a) may not be justified by efficiencies, procompetitive
    effects, or any other defense under the antitrust laws, as defined in
    section 1(a).
        ``(c) Effect.--Any transaction consummated in violation of
    subsection (a) shall be void.
        ``(d) Definition.--In this section, the term `covered conference'
    means a conference, the primary athletic revenue of which is derived
    from the sale or transfer of media rights relating to intercollegiate
    football.''.

    SEC. 206. AMENDMENTS TO INTERCOLLEGIATE AND INTERSCHOLASTIC FOOTBALL
                  CONTEST LIMITATIONS.

        (a) In General.--Section 3 of the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961
    (15 U.S.C. 1293) is amended--
                (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end;
                (2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and
            inserting ``, and''; and
                (3) by adding at the end the following:
                ``(4) the season and any postseason, including
            championships, of such intercollegiate football contests
            conclude not later than January 8 of any year, to the extent
            practicable.''.
        (b) Protection of Army-Navy Game.--Section 3 of the Sports
    Broadcasting Act (15 U.S.C. 1293) is amended--
                (1) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``The first sentence''; and
                (2) by adding at the end the following:
        ``(b)(1) Section 1(b) shall not apply to any joint agreement
    described in that section that permits any person to sponsor, telecast,
    or authorize the telecast of any postseason intercollegiate football
    contest involving an institution participating in the Football Bowl
    Subdivision during the protected Army-Navy Game broadcast window.
        ``(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term `protected Army-
    Navy Game broadcast window' means the period beginning 1 hour before
    scheduled kickoff and ending 30 minutes after the official conclusion
    of the telecast of the annual football game between the United States
    Military Academy and the United States Naval Academy occurring on the
    second Saturday in December in any year.''.

    SEC. 207. MEDIA RIGHTS UTILIZATION REQUIREMENT FOR COLLEGE SPORTS OTHER
                  THAN FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL.

        (a) Definitions.--In this section, the terms ``covered entity'',
    ``intercollegiate athletic competition'', ``member conference'', and
    ``member institution'' have the meanings given those terms in section 8
    of the Sports Broadcasting Act, as redesignated by section 201(b)(1) of
    this Act.
        (b) Requirement of Use.--A distributor to which any media rights
    for intercollegiate athletic competitions in a sport other than
    football or basketball are sold, licensed, or otherwise conveyed by the
    covered entity or its member institutions or member conferences after
    the date of enactment of this Act shall affirmatively use those rights
    by making the competitions reasonably available to the public not later
    than 1 year after the effective date of the agreement under which the
    rights are sold, licensed, or otherwise conveyed.
        (c) Reversion of Rights.--
                (1) Failure to use rights; opportunity to cure.--If a
            distributor to which media rights for intercollegiate athletic
            competitions in a sport other than football or basketball are
            sold, licensed, or otherwise conveyed as described in
            subsection (b) does not use the rights during the 1-year period
            beginning on the effective date of the agreement under which
            the rights are sold, licensed, or otherwise conveyed, the
            covered entity, member institution, or member conference
            notifies the distributor after the expiration of that 1-year
            period of the distributor's failure to use the rights, and the
            distributor does not use the rights during the 180-day period
            beginning on the date of the notification, the rights for that
            sport shall revert to the originating covered entity, member
            institution, or member conference.
                (2) Reconveyance.--Upon the reversion of rights under
            paragraph (1), the covered entity, member institution, or
            member conference may resell, relicense, or otherwise reconvey
            the rights to another entity without penalty or liability for
            breach of the original agreement described in that paragraph.
        (d) Savings.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to modify
    the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, as amended by this title.
                                                           Calendar No. 449

    119th CONGRESS

      2d Session

                                    S. 4668

    _______________________________________________________________________

                                     A BILL

        To protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide
    protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among
               intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes.

    _______________________________________________________________________

                                 June 24, 2026

                           Reported with an amendment