Overview
- The SCORE Act would establish a national NIL framework, preempt state laws, bar athlete employee status, and grant limited antitrust protections to the NCAA and major conferences.
- A narrow 210-209 rules vote cleared the measure for debate, but GOP holdouts led by Reps. Chip Roy, Byron Donalds and Scott Perry left it short of votes for passage.
- Democratic leaders urged a no vote, with the Congressional Black Caucus, unions and athlete groups warning the bill favors institutions over players and restricts labor rights.
- The White House, the NCAA, power-conference commissioners and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee backed the bill after extensive lobbying and outreach in Washington.
- Optics around blockbuster coaching contracts, including Lane Kiffin’s high-dollar move to LSU, intensified criticism, and House leaders now say action is postponed indefinitely.