Allred Cosponsors Bipartisan Bill to Create Federal Standard and Grant Name, Image, and Likeness to Student Athletes

Press Release

Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32) cosponsored the Student Athlete Level Playing Field Act, legislation that would grant student-athletes the right to financially benefit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). The bipartisan legislation was led by Congressman Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH-16), and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO-05). It would establish one federal NIL standard, protect the recruitment process and preserve the college athletics system.

"College sports is big business for everyone involved except the athletes who make it possible. If they choose, student-athletes should be able to earn money from the use of their likeness the same way any other professional or amateur athlete can," said Congressman Allred. "As a former college football player, I've seen firsthand how student athletes can be exploited while at the same time being unable to afford basic necessities. With state laws coming into effect soon, I'm happy to again work with Congressman Gonzalez and Congressman Cleaver on this bipartisan bill to implement a national standard and ensure our student-athletes are treated fairly."

"I am proud to reintroduce the bipartisan Student Athlete Level Playing Field Act with Congressman Cleaver today. We have worked together on this issue for over a year now, and I believe that our proposal truly represents a bipartisan pathway to creating a federal NIL standard," said Congressman Gonzalez. "We are facing a tight deadline with state laws taking effect just around the corner. The time for action on this issue is now. Student athletes have long deserved the right to profit from their NIL. Our bill would grant this right, while also protecting the integrity of the college sports system."

"College athletes have entertained the American people for generations--to the financial benefit of schools, administrators, and everyone except for the student athletes themselves," said Congressman Cleaver. "With the NCAA's failure to implement its self-stated goal of creating new NIL rules that level the playing field for athletes across the country, it's clear the time has come for Congress to address this issue on a bipartisan basis. I'm proud to once again introduce the Student Athlete Level Playing Field Act with Congressman Gonzalez, which will rectify the economic injustice that currently exists within college athletics by granting athletes the right to capitalize off their NIL. It's a common sense proposal that remedies the unacceptable status quo, and I look forward to working with Rep. Gonzalez to ensuring it becomes the law of the land."

The bill was cosponsored by the broad bipartisan coalition of Reps. Rodney Davis (R-IL-13), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), Steve Stivers (R-OH-15), Richard Hudson (R-NC-08), and Sharice Davids (D-KS-03).

The Student Athlete Level Playing Field Act:

Grants student athletes the right to capitalize off their own name, image, and likeness and engage in agent contracts;

Establishes one federal standard that pre-empts any existing or prospective state law on NIL, creating one federal standard and a level playing field for college athletics;

Provides Congressional oversight by establishing a commission appointed by Congress made up of a variety of NIL stakeholders, including student athletes;

Protects the recruitment process by amending federal law to include a definition of "boosters", and details actions taken by boosters in the recruiting process that would be penalized through FTC enforcement.

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