Federal bill introduced to replace NCAA, limitless transfers, shake up conferences, cap coach salaries

On the same day the House v. NCAA final approval hearing took place, a transformative federal bill was introduced in the House of Representatives. It would replace the NCAA while also shaking up the college athletics landscape, including with the transfer portal and conference realignment.

H.R. 2663, called the “Restore College Sports Act” and filed by Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-WA), would create the American College Sports Association. The entity would replace the NCAA and, “oversee and regulate college sports.” Per the bill, the ACSA would have a commissioner appointed by the President with advice and consent of the Senate. The commissioner would serve four-year terms.

In addition, the bill calls for NIL funds and revenue directly shared with the schools to be distributed “equally among all student athletes of such institutions within the ACSA.” Broadcast revenue would also need to be distributed equally, and athletes would be able to transfer “freely” and do so without penalty or restrictions, according to the bill.

After a groundbreaking round of conference realignment shook up the college sports world, the Restore College Sports Act would transform them once again. Under the bill, conferences would need to include teams within the same time zone, with travel and academic concerns cited as reasons.

The bill also takes aim at coaches’ salaries as those figures rise. A coach’s maximum annual salary would have a cap of, “10 times the full cost of attendance at such institution,” according to the text.

The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on Monday and referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) is the chair of the committee and previously expressed concern about the state of the college sports landscape, particularly with the impact of spending on tuition and fees.

Even as the House v. NCAA settlement continues in the approval process – Judge Claudia Wilken oversaw Monday’s 6.5-hour hearing and encouraged both sides to come back next week – Capitol Hill remains a focal point for reform in college athletics. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has visited multiple times and continues to call on Congress to take action for national legislation.

One day after the House settlement final approval hearing, a Congressional hearing took place titled, “Game Changer: the NLRB, Student-Athletes, and the Future of College Sports” before the House subcommittee on health, employment, labor and pensions. Wednesday will also mark College Sports Day on the Hill as college sports leaders – including commissioners, athletics directors, coaches and athletes – make their way to Washington, D.C.

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