Congressmen Brett Guthrie and Gus Bilirakis have announced a legislative hearing on the SCORE Act, which aims to standardize NIL (name, image, likeness) for student-athletes. The hearing is titled “Winning Off the Field: Legislative Proposal to Stabilize NIL and College Athletics.”
“College athletics are a central part of American culture. We have heard from student-athletes and universities alike that we need a national framework, which is why we will be introducing and discussing the Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act,” said Chairmen Guthrie and Bilirakis. “Stability, clarity, and transparency will be central to creating clear guardrails that support student-athletes and preserve the core educational mission of these schools.”
The Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade will conduct the hearing on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 10:00 AM ET in Room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The event is open to the public and press, with a live stream available online at energycommerce.house.gov.
William King, Associate Commissioner for Legal Affairs and Compliance at the Southeastern Conference (SEC), testified before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on June 12, 2025. His testimony highlighted the necessity for federal legislation following the House v. NCAA settlement.
King emphasized that while the settlement establishes revenue sharing and NIL frameworks, federal legislation is essential to codify these changes. He pointed out that state NIL laws create unfair recruiting advantages; thus, a uniform national standard is necessary.
King also addressed limited liability protection for actions compliant with federal law but not broad antitrust immunity. He noted SEC athletes’ opposition to being classified as employees due to potential cuts in sports programs caused by unsustainable costs.
He underscored the unique value of U.S. college sports as it combines elite athletics with education. King urged Congress to act swiftly to balance athlete compensation with collegiate athletics’ sustainability.
According to SEC data cited by King, fewer than 20% of Division I athletic programs are financially self-sustaining.
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