College sports generate excitement and bring communities together in a unique way. They inspire pride in our schools, create lifelong memories, and enable young Americans to pursue education while exceling in sports. But the future of this prized institution is far from guaranteed and requires legislative action to permanently fix long-standing issues.
New uncertainties took hold of college sports once student-athletes started profiting from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). States across the country have created conflicting rules regulating NIL, causing confusion among athletes, coaches, and institutions. Without clear guardrails, student-athletes face potential exploitation as they sign lucrative deals. Meanwhile, new financial constraints jeopardize non-revenue sports, especially women’s and Olympic programs.
Most notably, the academic identity of college sports is at risk. The lines are increasingly blurred between the court and the classroom, and proposals to deem student-athletes employees of their schools would only complicate matters. Introducing tax, labor, and eligibility issues to athletic departments will not only bring administrative burdens but also disrupt the educational mission of college athletics.
So far, temporary fixes—ranging from court orders to executive orders—have done little to protect the integrity of college sports or provide clarity for student-athletes. A long-term solution can only come from federal legislation, and the bipartisan Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act fits the bill.
President Donald Trump expressed this sentiment at a recent White House roundtable on college sports: “Only Congress now, it looks like, can deliver a permanent fix.”
Along with congressional leaders and conference commissioners, he argued that the SCORE Act can safeguard the future of college athletics through a fair national standard that ends the patchwork of state laws.
Also discussed at the roundtable were the comprehensive protections that student-athletes would receive through the bill. More than half a million young people participate in college sports every year, and enhancing their athletic and academic experience is a positive investment in our country’s future leaders.
The SCORE Act includes financial literacy resources, mental health care, and scholarship protections. It also ensures schools subsidize the diversity of sports programs that make college athletics so varied and unique.
An unfair criticism raised by opponents of the bill relates to a purported lack of input and support from student-athletes. That could not be further from the truth: besides the fact the bill prioritizes student-athletes’ well-being, multiple college athletes have testified before congressional committees emphatically supporting the SCORE Act.
Student-athletes have been clear from the outset: if passed, this bill would enshrine fair competition and keep education at the forefront of college athletics.
Consider the congressional letter of support from Brendan Belz, a former men’s lacrosse student-athlete at the University of Utah: “[The SCORE Act] will not only protect today’s athletes but also safeguard the dreams and opportunities of future generations.”
Likewise, at a House subcommittee hearing last year, former University of North Florida swimmer Ashley Cozad called the bill a boon for student-athletes like her, creating an environment “where we could all capitalize equally.”
The real danger to student-athletes is inaction, which is why Congress must pass the SCORE Act.
As our country celebrates its 250th anniversary, let’s not forget how essential college sports are to our civic life: they instill noble virtues in young Americans and unite communities around shared loyalties. We are the only country with a system allowing athletes not to have to choose between a world-class education and elite athletic competition. Let’s strengthen this uniquely American system so that student-athletes can continue to thrive and make us proud.
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