H.R.2663 - Restore College Sports Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2663, the "Restore College Sports Act," proposes establishing the American Collegiate Sports Association (ACSA) to replace the NCAA. The ACSA would be governed by a commissioner appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, serving a four-year term. The bill mandates specific rules for member institutions, including revenue sharing, free transfer for student-athletes, and time zone-based conference alignment.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would significantly alter the landscape of college sports. It would shift regulatory power from the NCAA to a federally overseen entity. The changes would impact revenue distribution, athlete mobility, and coaching salaries.
Potential Benefits
- Equal revenue sharing among student-athletes could improve their financial well-being.
- Free transfer rights enhance athlete autonomy.
- Time zone-based conferences could reduce travel burdens on student-athletes.
- Salary caps for coaches might redirect funds to other areas, such as academic programs or facilities.
- Increased federal oversight could lead to greater accountability and transparency in college sports.
Potential Disadvantages
- Federal intervention in college sports could be seen as overreach.
- Equal revenue sharing might disincentivize high-performing programs.
- Coaching salary caps could lead to a loss of top coaching talent to professional leagues.
- The new association may face legal challenges from the NCAA or member institutions.
- Presidential appointment of the commissioner could introduce political influence into college sports governance.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality is complex. Congress has the power to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8), which could be argued to extend to college sports due to its significant financial impact. However, the extent of federal control over educational institutions and athletic associations could raise concerns about federalism and the balance of power between the federal government and the states. The appointment of the commissioner by the President with Senate confirmation aligns with the Appointments Clause (Article II, Section 2, Clause 2).
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).