A Potential Turning Point for College Athletics
After years of courtroom defeats, the NCAA and its most powerful conferences may be close to achieving what they’ve long sought: federal law that protects their governance model. The SCORE Act (Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements) has advanced further than any previous proposal and, if passed, would reshape the economics and governance of college sports.
For athletic directors, this legislation could create clarity in some areas but serious challenges in others. It is designed to federalize the recent House v. NCAA Settlement while adding layers of protection for the NCAA and its member institutions — at the expense of athlete leverage and the competitive balance across conferences.
What’s in the SCORE Act?
The bill’s central features codify what many ADs have already started planning for:
Revenue Sharing
- Schools can share up to 22% of annual athletics revenue — roughly $20 million at Power Five programs — directly with athletes.
- Unlike the House settlement, the SCORE Act gives the NCAA power to raise this cap without external oversight.
NIL Oversight
- State NIL laws would be preempted, creating a single national standard.
- Athletes must submit third-party NIL deals to a central clearinghouse, giving the NCAA authority to monitor and regulate.
Athlete Status
- Athletes would be barred from being considered employees, shutting down ongoing labor board actions and unionization efforts.
Antitrust Protection
- The NCAA and its members would gain broad antitrust immunity, preventing future lawsuits that have historically driven reforms (e.g., Alston v. NCAA).
Additional Provisions
- Schools must provide three years of post-eligibility healthcare.
- Sports agents would face a 5% fee cap.
- The NCAA would have enhanced authority over transfer rules, eligibility, and enforcement.
The Upside: Clarity and Stability
For ADs at large programs, the SCORE Act could reduce uncertainty. By ending the state-by-state NIL patchwork and shielding schools from endless litigation, the Act creates a framework to plan long-term budgets and compliance systems.
Some administrators also see value in centralized NIL regulation. Currently, enforcement is inconsistent, and the NCAA’s limited authority has allowed aggressive booster collectives to push boundaries. A single federal standard could restore predictability.
The Risks: Entrenching Inequities
Critics warn that the SCORE Act would accelerate the stratification of college sports:
Power Conferences Gain More Power
With the cap adjustable at the NCAA’s discretion, SEC and Big Ten programs — already projecting football budgets of $35-40 million annually — would widen the gap over mid-majors and Olympic sports.
Smaller Schools Left Vulnerable
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and others would argue the Act was written “by and for” the NCAA and power conferences. Without meaningful input from smaller schools, the model could lock in a Power Two system.
Olympic and Women’s Sports at Risk
The Act raises the same concerns as the NCAA settlement did for non-revenue generating and women’s sports. Critics, including Texas Tech booster Cody Campbell, warn the Act could “destroy” programs that fuel the U.S. Olympic pipeline.
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Where the Bill Stands
Despite strong backing from the NCAA and power conferences, the SCORE Act is not guaranteed to pass.
- House Delay: Republicans have delayed a vote, lacking confidence in support. A slim GOP majority means dissent within the party — spurred in part by Texas donor lobbying — has stalled momentum.
- CBC Factor: The Congressional Black Caucus has not rallied behind the Act, and negotiations with HBCU conference representatives have not produced a breakthrough.
- Senate Hurdles: Even if the bill clears the House, the Senate presents a steeper climb, requiring 60 votes. Lawmakers like Sen. Catwell are pushing for amendments or alternatives.
The fight over athlete pay has now reached Washington, and athletic directors need to be ready to navigate whichever version of this new landscape emerges.
