Bill Summary
The "Collegiate Sports Integrity Act" is a proposed legislation that seeks to exempt intercollegiate athletic conferences and interstate intercollegiate athletic associations from U.S. antitrust laws. This means that these organizations, which govern college sports by setting rules and organizing competitions among institutions of higher education, would not be subject to legal challenges related to anti-competitive practices.
Key definitions in the bill include:
1. **Antitrust Laws**: This refers to existing laws that prevent monopolistic practices and promote competition, specifically referencing the Clayton Act and the Federal Trade Commission Act.
2. **Institution of Higher Education**: Defined according to the Higher Education Act of 1965, it encompasses colleges and universities.
3. **Intercollegiate Athletic Conference**: An organization made up of multiple higher education institutions that manages athletic competitions and establishes rules.
4. **Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Association**: A not-for-profit body that organizes competitions across state lines and develops common standards for collegiate athletics.
By exempting these entities from antitrust laws, the legislation aims to provide them with greater autonomy in governing college sports without the risk of legal repercussions for their collaborative efforts in setting rules and organizing competitions.
Possible Impacts
The "Collegiate Sports Integrity Act," which exempts intercollegiate athletic conferences and interstate athletic associations from antitrust laws, could affect people in various ways. Here are three examples:
1. **Student-Athletes**: By allowing conferences and associations to operate without the constraints of antitrust laws, the legislation could lead to changes in how student-athletes are treated regarding scholarships, compensation, and eligibility rules. For example, it could facilitate the creation of standardized rules that might limit the benefits or compensation student-athletes receive, potentially reducing their financial opportunities compared to what they might receive in a more competitive environment.
2. **Colleges and Universities**: Institutions of higher education may benefit from the exemption as it allows them to collaborate more freely with one another in setting rules and regulations for athletic competition. This could lead to more uniformity in scheduling, recruiting practices, and financial arrangements, which could simplify the administrative burden on schools. However, it could also limit competition among institutions, potentially leading to a homogenization of athletic programs and reducing the incentive for schools to improve their offerings.
3. **Fans and Communities**: The exemption could impact fans and local communities that support collegiate athletics. If conferences set rules that prioritize certain teams or favor larger institutions, it could result in fewer competitive games and less excitement in the sports landscape. This could diminish the overall experience for fans, as well as negatively affect local economies that rely on game-day revenues. Conversely, the legislation might streamline operations for major events, leading to improved organizational efficiencies and potentially enhancing the fan experience in those instances.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2147 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2147
To exempt intercollegiate athletic conferences and interstate
intercollegiate athletic associations from the antitrust laws.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 24, 2025
Mr. Paul introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To exempt intercollegiate athletic conferences and interstate
intercollegiate athletic associations from the antitrust laws.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Collegiate Sports Integrity Act''.
SEC. 2. ANTITRUST EXEMPTION FOR INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCES
AND ASSOCIATIONS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Antitrust laws.--The term ``antitrust laws'' has the
meaning given the term in the first section of the Clayton Act
(15 U.S.C. 12), except that such term includes section 5 of the
Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45) to the extent such
section 5 applies to unfair methods of competition.
(2) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001).
(3) Intercollegiate athletic conference.--The term
``intercollegiate athletic conference'' means--
(A) an organization or association that--
(i) exclusively has as members 2 or more
institutions of higher education; and
(ii) arranges championships and sets rules
for intercollegiate athletic competition; or
(B) any institution of higher education that
competes against another institution of higher
education in an athletic competition.
(4) Interstate intercollegiate athletic association.--The
term ``interstate intercollegiate athletic association''--
(A) means a not-for-profit corporation, an
association, or any other group organized in the United
States that--
(i) sponsors or arranges intercollegiate
athletic competition between institutions and
intercollegiate athletic conferences;
(ii) sets common rules, standards,
procedures, or guidelines for the
administration of intercollegiate athletic
competition at institutions; and
(iii) is composed of 2 or more institutions
or conferences that are located in different
States; and
(B) does not include a corporation, association, or
other group affiliated with professional athletic
competition.
(b) Exemption.--The antitrust laws shall not apply to
intercollegiate athletic conferences or interstate intercollegiate
athletic associations.
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