by Selena Hill
May 29, 2026
Opponents of the SCORE Act argue that it would increase the power of the NCAA while restricting labor protections and voting rights for college athletes.
A coalition of Black lawmakers and progressive Democrats successfully blocked advancement of the controversial Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act. This is a comprehensive proposal aimed at transforming collegiate athletics and student-athlete compensation rules based on name, image and likeness (NIL).
The legislation, introduced by Rep. Gus Bilirakis, sought to create a national NIL framework while giving the NCAA and athletic conferences broader authority to regulate college sports. Proponents argued that the bill would provide consistency in the rapidly evolving NIL landscape and protect student-athletes from exploitation. But critics said the proposal would primarily benefit universities and sports organizations while restricting athletes’ rights and worker protections.
According to The Hill, Republican leadership withdrew the bill after failing to garner enough bipartisan support in the House. Black lawmakers and athlete advocates played a major role in derailing the legislation, warning that the bill would weaken athletes’ bargaining power and prevent future protections at the state level.
One of the bill’s most controversial provisions would have prevented student-athletes from being classified as employees, effectively denying them access to collective bargaining rights and certain labor protections. The bill would also provide the NCAA with limited antitrust protections to protect the organization from certain legal challenges related to athlete compensation rules, Morgan Lewis reports.
The failed vote underscores the growing political divide over the future of college sports, especially as Black athletes continue to generate billions of dollars in revenue for universities, conferences, broadcasters and sponsors. Critics of the SCORE Act argued that federal legislation should prioritize athlete empowerment, long-term financial security, health protections and fair compensation rather than restoring the power of institutions that already benefit from the current system.
RELATED CONTENT: Ole Miss Football Star Trinidad Chambliss Amazed by His Zero Earnings: ‘Wow, I Have So Much Money’