College athletics is at a crossroads. Two competing federal proposals – the SCORE Act and the SAFE Act – could fundamentally reshape how your athletic program operates, from NIL deals to revenue sharing to athlete protections. But which one will actually pass, and more importantly, which one should you be rooting for?
If you're an athletic director, coach, or administrator, understanding these bills isn't just academic – it's essential for your program's future planning and success.
The Current NIL Landscape is a Mess
Let's be honest: the current state of NIL is chaotic. Different states have different rules, the NCAA is scrambling to maintain control, and schools are navigating a patchwork of regulations that change faster than a quarterback scramble. Both the SCORE Act and SAFE Act aim to fix this mess, but they take completely different approaches.
Think of it this way – one bill wants to give the NCAA more power and clearer rules, while the other wants to strip away NCAA control and put athletes first. Your program's future depends on which vision wins out.
SCORE Act: The NCAA's Dream Bill
The SCORE Act is essentially the NCAA's wish list wrapped up in federal legislation. If you're a Power Five athletic director who likes the current system (just with clearer rules), this is your bill.
What SCORE Would Require From Your Program
For schools generating over $20 million in revenue – basically all major programs – SCORE comes with some serious requirements:
Comprehensive Support Systems: You'd need to provide academic programs, career counseling, and mental health services. Not just basic stuff either – we're talking comprehensive, professional-level support that goes way beyond what most programs offer today.
Long-term Health Coverage: Independent medical coverage for athletic injuries during enrollment, plus at least three years after athletes leave your program. This is huge for budgeting – you're looking at ongoing healthcare costs for former players.
Academic Guarantees: Continued grant-in-aid regardless of injury or performance, plus degree-completion aid for up to seven years. Translation: once you offer a scholarship, you're potentially on the hook for seven years, even if the athlete gets hurt or doesn't perform.
Minimum Sports Requirement: At least 16 varsity sports teams with Title IX compliance by July 2027. If you're currently running a lean athletic department, this could force major expansion.
NIL Under SCORE
SCORE would crack down hard on collective-funded NIL deals. Unless the deal reflects "legitimate business purposes at market rates," it's off limits if it's funded by donors or collectives. This would essentially kill the pay-for-play collectives that have dominated recruiting.
The bill also caps agent fees at 5% and requires written contracts for any NIL deal over $600. For your compliance office, this means clear rules but potentially more paperwork.
The Big Picture for SCORE
SCORE gives the NCAA antitrust protection and explicitly prevents athletes from being classified as employees. For athletic directors, this means maintaining the current power structure while getting clearer, uniform national rules.
The downside? Critics argue it favors Power Five schools and could limit athlete mobility with tighter transfer restrictions.
SAFE Act: The Athlete-First Alternative
The SAFE Act takes the opposite approach. Instead of strengthening NCAA control, it prioritizes athlete rights and tries to level the playing field between big and small programs.
What Makes SAFE Different
10-Year Scholarship Guarantees: Unlike SCORE's injury-based protections, SAFE guarantees scholarships for a full decade. For your program, this means much longer financial commitments.
Flexible Transfers: Two transfers allowed with draft-return options. This gives athletes way more mobility than they have now – and gives you less certainty about roster stability.
Federal Enforcement: Instead of NCAA enforcement, the FTC and state attorneys general would handle violations. This could mean less predictable enforcement but also less NCAA control over your program.
Revenue Sharing Focus: SAFE maintains the 22% revenue cap from the House settlement and allows pooling arrangements that benefit all schools, not just Power Five programs.
Olympic and Women's Sports Protection
Here's where SAFE gets really interesting for smaller programs or those with strong Olympic sports: the bill explicitly requires that new media revenue from pooling be reinvested in Olympic and women's sports. If you're worried about Title IX compliance or maintaining non-revenue sports, this could be a lifeline.
Employment Status: The Wild Card
SAFE stays silent on whether athletes should be classified as employees. While SCORE explicitly prevents this, SAFE leaves the door open. This could be huge for future legal challenges – and future costs for your program.
The Reality Check: Which Bill Will Actually Pass?
Here's the tough truth: Senator Ted Cruz has said there's "zero percent" chance the SAFE Act passes in its current form. The NCAA and Power Five conferences are strongly backing SCORE, which gives it significant political momentum.
But politics can change quickly, especially with high-profile issues like college athletics. The key is preparing for either scenario.
What This Means for Different Types of Programs
Power Five Athletic Directors
SCORE is clearly your preferred option. It maintains your competitive advantages while providing legal protections and clearer rules. The institutional requirements might increase costs, but you likely have the resources to handle them.
Mid-Major and Non-Power Programs
SAFE offers more upside through revenue pooling and specific protections for Olympic sports. The 10-year scholarship guarantees might strain your budget, but the increased federal funding could more than compensate.
Programs Heavy on Olympic Sports
SAFE's explicit reinvestment mandate for Olympic and women's sports could be the difference between maintaining these programs or cutting them. SCORE offers no such protections.
Preparing Your Program for Either Outcome
Regardless of which bill passes (or if neither does), smart athletic directors are already preparing:
Strengthen Compliance: Both bills require better NIL oversight and documentation. Start building these systems now.
Budget for Long-term Commitments: Whether it's SCORE's health coverage or SAFE's scholarship guarantees, factor in extended financial obligations.
Invest in Support Services: Both bills emphasize athlete welfare. Programs that get ahead of this trend will have competitive advantages.
Monitor Transfer Policies: Be ready to adapt recruiting and roster management strategies based on new transfer rules.
The Bottom Line
The SCORE Act vs SAFE Act debate isn't just about federal legislation – it's about two competing visions for college athletics. One preserves institutional control with clearer rules, while the other redistributes power and resources toward athletes and smaller programs.
Your program's future depends on which vision wins. The smart move? Prepare for both scenarios while advocating for the approach that best serves your athletes and institution.
The NIL landscape has already transformed college athletics beyond recognition. Federal legislation will likely accelerate these changes, not slow them down. The programs that thrive will be the ones that adapt quickly and put athlete success at the center of their strategy.
Ready to navigate the changing NIL landscape? Contact Dan Kost, CEO at info@MySportsMedia.com or visit mysportsmedia.com/nil for expert guidance on NIL compliance and strategy.
Share this analysis: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | X #HighPerformance
Here are 5 more blog titles ready for approval:
-
"Why 78% of High School Athletes Are Getting NIL Deals Wrong (Data-Driven Analysis)"
-
"Campus Brand Ambassador Programs: The $2.3 Billion Opportunity Colleges Are Missing"
-
"NIL Collectives Are Dead – Here's What's Replacing Them in 2025"
-
"Social Media Followers vs Engagement: What Really Matters for Student-Athlete NIL Value"
-
"The Complete Guide to NIL Taxes: What Every Student-Athlete Must Know Before Signing"
Which ones would you like me to turn into full blog posts next?
