[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6301615,"mediaKeyId","2486991-cdf1778625ed9cc49c76d83ad409a006","parentId",2486991,"title","House hearing presses for federal NIL standard as NCAA settlement nears","audioSeconds",981,"startMs",771000,"endMs",1752000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2486991-cdf1778625ed9cc49c76d83ad409a006&start=771&end=1752","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2486991-cdf1778625ed9cc49c76d83ad409a006/thumbnail_771000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6301615/House-hearing-presses-for-federal-NIL-standard-as-NCAA-settlement-nears","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301615-ab1d7db67c64b69ce08e302985c2c489/orig.mp4?Expires=1771096186&Signature=HmSjzWNR1rGXNVMwubrB23sq4SeomxP~RAKChi0WYImHObp1e2gYPcVJ0mw7YlFtpfBoHne-o5TsD~bcBttqSTAngD2HPS6MbXKkgZG2eEQ04rYV-NZ8vFfDxhJ37Nf6M-mim1G7P2ZkYQsL~DpxLi7aERKB7mm4sl81RKLI51qq2V3dOcOiq1cJci8XQFRnQCydyujQp0m-t0j72JzqfvCpc14wbCY1H-~rJOVrhK3Md0HuvUwuAz9kSNgf9EfFX-elVm~G2tsXa1UvK2ILf1GovYWki7mue8zWZ2Tm-OjF~2W93eXfYlp-UqaC-SWnKZ4CnwVBy8jMLKfCT0OWPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce","date","2025-03-04T18:39:52Z","article","Congressional lawmakers and college athletics officials on the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee said a national standard is needed to govern name, image and likeness deals and the revenue-sharing model outlined in a pending settlement with the NCAA.

The hearing, which included testimony from student athletes and university officials, centered on how a patchwork of state NIL laws, third-party collectives and a tentative class-action settlement have created uncertainty “where states seek competitive advantage,” Rep. Josh Whitman, athletic director at the University of Illinois, told the panel. Whitman said Congress should preempt conflicting state rules, establish a national NIL and revenue‑sharing framework “largely in line” with the settlement and provide a limited antitrust safe harbor to let institutions and conferences create enforceable eligibility and compliance rules.

Witnesses outlined several concrete reforms they said Congress could enact: federal preemption of state NIL laws, a clearinghouse or registry to improve transparency around NIL payments and a narrow antitrust safe harbor so schools can coordinate around eligibility and revenue distribution without immediate litigation. Coach Shane Beamer of the University of South Carolina and others said a clearinghouse partnered with a reputable firm could help track market deals and “give us the teeth” to monitor payments.

Student athletes and alumni who testified said uniform rules are needed to protect athletes from exploitation by uncertified agents and to reduce recruiting inducements tied to outside money. Emily Cole, a 2024 Duke graduate and former All‑American track athlete, described negotiating brand deals on her own before hiring an agent and said the current system is “ill defined” and that athletes need education and protections.

Several witnesses described the settlement’s revenue‑sharing provisions as a potential leveling mechanism but warned that inconsistent state laws—examples cited included state tax breaks and allowances for payments to high‑school signees—could undermine fairness. Justin Falcinelli of the College Football Players Association argued that collective bargaining and independent player representation could address health and safety enforcement and give athletes negotiating power, while athletic directors emphasized institutional responsibilities to protect nonrevenue sports and preserve educational access.

No formal legislative text was proposed at the hearing; members from both parties said they want to produce bipartisan legislation. Lawmakers pressed witnesses on enforcement mechanics, Title IX implications and how to prevent the most lucrative programs from dominating recruiting through state‑level advantages. Whitman repeated a request for congressional action to create “uniformity and stability” before conflicting state efforts and litigation shape the system.

The hearing record includes a range of proposals for congressional action: preemption of state laws, a federal clearinghouse to log NIL licenses and payments, standards for agent accreditation, a limited antitrust safe harbor, and measures to ensure nonrevenue and women’s sports continue to receive institutional support.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","CMT Hearing: Moving the Goalposts: How NIL is Reshaping College Athletics","oneSentenceSummary","Congressional lawmakers and college athletics officials on the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee said a national standard is needed to govern name, image and likeness deals and the revenue‑sharing model outlined in a pending settlement with the NCAA.","taxTitle","Energy and Commerce: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1824,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6301600,"Players and advocates urge collective bargaining, independent medical care; oppose employee classification",273,2726000,2999000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2486991-cdf1778625ed9cc49c76d83ad409a006&start=2726&end=2999","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2486991-cdf1778625ed9cc49c76d83ad409a006/thumbnail_2726000.jpg","/articles/6301600/Players-and-advocates-urge-collective-bargaining-independent-medical-care-oppose-employee-classification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301600-5bd7cc23cfb816f277bfbc57caf7186c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771096186&Signature=iND9eKCUrvIs82RbPCZDI7rekJoRATCt18vP85MOepQVBROByMAZYoDLIgfafXQ-Mx1xaeVOyc3hrO0smDGfqBttX28InR0xYaaUrUhjSozt9T5ZVxyW55y0WUTJb5d49o5A3T9YRbTJsSQ9y4-e2XM4YPghNuij2mkCEYVwLhxJBNf9TsQv5S4qYByxFV5Zkw5AZKkx312Ay2O1YSxyc8cslzVXzeyGjwUqGyVlCwSUL4LB3D4nFRrKCeQwy3WVcyznNFeQO47ujFfiUxywKjX1zIZvczDmUF7Un6EnahDdL-b6GpCqKtsaVSxG69p0JsaIRZSVx0S03qdSJiIHtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of a voluntary players association and former student athletes told a House subcommittee that collective bargaining and independent player representation could address persistent health and safety problems in college sports and provide enforcement mechanisms the NCAA has not consistently applied.

Justin Falcinelli, vice president of the College Football Players Association (CFPPA), testified that collective bargaining would create enforceable rules for practice reform, independent medical care and concussion protocols. He said the NCAA was established more than a century ago to address catastrophic injuries in the sport, but that practice‑related deaths and offseason fatalities remain a concern and that enforcement of safety guidelines has been uneven.

Falcinelli and other witnesses described cases where athletic trainers felt pressure from coaches in hiring and firing decisions, and cited a 2019 National Athletic Trainers Association finding that 36% of athletic trainers reported coach influence on medical staff employment. Falcinelli urged Congress to support mechanisms—such as an independent players association—to ensure medical staff can prioritize players’ health without fear of retaliation.

Witnesses, including Anthony Egbo, said athletes overwhelmingly prefer not to be labeled institutional employees, arguing an employment model would threaten scholarships, roster sizes and the viability of many programs. Josh Whitman and others said the settlement framework and other reforms could deliver many athlete protections without converting student athletes into employees. Members pressed witnesses on the Dartmouth NLRB regional director decision used in some arguments about employee status; Whitman characterized that ruling as raising difficult questions about the employee test if applied broadly.

The panel did not resolve the legal question of employment status; members and witnesses said any durable solution should center athlete health, independent medical decision‑making and enforceable safety standards.","Player representatives and several witnesses argued that independent players associations and collective bargaining—not employment status—are the best paths to protect athlete health, enforce safety rules and secure better medical care. They also described persistent concerns about rushed return‑to‑play decisions and trainer independence.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6301605,"Lawmakers and witnesses warn NIH cuts could jeopardize athlete health research and university capacity",8474,1351000,9825000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2486991-cdf1778625ed9cc49c76d83ad409a006&start=1351&end=9825","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2486991-cdf1778625ed9cc49c76d83ad409a006/thumbnail_1351000.jpg","/articles/6301605/Lawmakers-and-witnesses-warn-NIH-cuts-could-jeopardize-athlete-health-research-and-university-capacity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301605-6ab0ab1de590d792e4256708b7244a8c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771096186&Signature=l5YglgW7K7mhOKapPwQJaxa8~h1haU7L0eF-iFMKDRdh6N5VCPXMY0GCfxvcHDIC0q59MEcazwGsvFmmO9UHqXYTycIP2gKt9GSifVD5wIuw~0Z0t3wAwzZ4Q3DSJKnNPBrigcpW0nBCkec1om0Xu1bgnbEaecg~v9Qyd0QVw55WhlDRRiFYVpFtBiqXYiAnGaRJMds5GDUqVJljOGmEZIrlOpgqwY2D2pUrJS4BPZ~tVg4teeuVXRMlOpb~stKPMgcnVWqwrnRoWXcQ461D8i9GMSUC4Tzx6ukBTPNeH2UJ8kB2JbMx4Scz4putThQPJyTDhmid6Khar9~eToWOmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lawmakers and witnesses at a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing said proposed reductions in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding and cuts to indirect cost reimbursements would harm university research capacity and could have downstream effects on athlete health programs.

Rep. Robin Kelly and Ranking Member Jan Schakowsky highlighted potential impacts of administrative proposals to cap NIH indirect costs and of an executive action described in testimony as reducing indirect rates to 15 percent. Kelly told members that such cuts would be a “financial earthquake” for many institutions, including historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic‑serving institutions and smaller research centers that rely on NIH overhead to fund labs, support staff and clinical trial infrastructure.

Witnesses and members offered examples: testimony cited that Clemson University received roughly $25 million from NIH in 2024 and that Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center could lose an estimated $125 million annually under some proposed caps. Athletic director Josh Whitman and player representatives said medical research in areas such as concussion detection, hydration and long‑term neurological studies depends on NIH‑funded work.

Justin Falcinelli of the College Football Players Association and other witnesses urged Congress to preserve research funding that supports player safety, including studies into head injuries and clinical trials. Falcinelli said independent medical care, enforcement of safety guidelines and ongoing research into injuries and long‑term outcomes are central to athlete welfare and require sustained federal investment.

Members and witnesses asked for follow‑up materials documenting the scope of impacts and urged the committee to monitor federal moves on NIH funding as part of its oversight responsibilities. No policy changes were adopted at the hearing.","Several members of the committee and witnesses said proposed cuts to indirect cost reimbursements and NIH funding would undermine biomedical research, including work on sports medicine, concussion prevention and clinical trials that directly affect athlete health.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":91,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":94,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6301610,"Lawmakers and experts warn revenue‑sharing formula could shortchange women athletes under Title IX",5172,6523000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2486991-cdf1778625ed9cc49c76d83ad409a006&start=1351&end=6523","/articles/6301610/Lawmakers-and-experts-warn-revenuesharing-formula-could-shortchange-women-athletes-under-Title-IX","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301610-b6af16b642d0719f13858c2b7a5d2eca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771096186&Signature=PJbn3OTx4-R~ygGuIaVOue-Su89qQnP5iIirFkXSmGhywpw6OdlqklcI4awsmXWb1wVsOPrMDl38mLeO8dB1ygm1c82mB0xqmxWVONFVMPdeqyEzGHlQ-7pWE4FFqL62~5W-w0jga4iykmQsP2ljoDE00OWxrX8xbXA2g2QXajf4dENBZG2k~7IwCrThfzvS~AJWgqqin0E-yEqj2QJD8F6jA~bj2hvJLaBBh5LmpnQbVPcAYaiAqSjDGQxAjoHVUnlNKw1yF~hy3p81tWG2JEbrCn5~w-6mL56aQEYM3w1Qzycs1k9SMJSP5hwEIzcsTslDYeTNQVZKXtQn-TMT8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lawmakers on the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee and several witnesses raised concerns that the distribution formulas in a tentative class‑action settlement and in some institutional plans could leave women’s and other nonrevenue sports with a disproportionately small share of new revenue.

Rep. Lori Trahan and Rep. Debbie Dingell emphasized that women’s sports have seen rapid growth in viewership and participation, but that testimony and public reporting indicate the proposed settlement allocation would direct most payments to football and men’s basketball. Rep. Trahan and others cited reporting and expert analysis that the tentative settlement would direct roughly 75% of certain payouts to football players, 15% to men’s basketball, 5% to women’s basketball and 5% for all other athletes — figures witnesses said could create Title IX compliance risks depending on how institutions apply them.

Josh Whitman, athletic director at the University of Illinois, told members his institution intends to continue Title IX compliance and is seeking legal clarity about how Title IX applies to these new payments. He said institutions face a “challenging balancing of equities” because applying traditional Title IX proportionality tests to new, market‑driven payments could divert funds away from athletes who generate most of the revenue, many of whom are students of color.

Witnesses and members urged Congress to provide clearer guidance to avoid a future in which revenue‑sharing amplifies historical disparities. Emily Cole, a former Duke athlete who testified about opportunities that NIL has created for nonrevenue athletes, urged protections that ensure Olympic and nonrevenue sports are not harmed by policy changes. Lawmakers asked for analyses of how settlement distributions would intersect with Title IX obligations and requested follow‑up materials and legal memos in the hearing record.

No final legal determinations were made at the hearing. Members from both parties said they expect Title IX to be a central issue in any legislative response and asked witnesses and counsel to provide more detailed compliance assessments.","Members of the House hearing and witnesses raised concerns that proposed revenue‑sharing formulas outlined in the tentative settlement and in some institutional plans could allocate the bulk of new payments to football and men’s basketball, potentially creating Title IX compliance issues and deepening gender disparities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House hearing presses for federal NIL standard as NCAA settlement nears

Players and advocates urge collective bargaining, independent medical care; oppose employee classification

Lawmakers and witnesses warn NIH cuts could jeopardize athlete health research and university capacity

Lawmakers and experts warn revenue‑sharing formula could shortchange women athletes under Title IX