Owens Protects College Sports
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representatives Burgess Owens (R-UT), David Kustoff (R-TN), and Josh Harder (D-CA) introduced the NCAA Accountability Act of 2025, legislation to ensure due process protections for universities and individuals under investigation by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for rule infractions.
“For too long, the NCAA has operated without transparency, accountability, or fairness—leaving student-athletes, coaches, and universities vulnerable to inconsistent and biased enforcement,” said Rep. Owens. “The NCAA Accountability Act levels the playing field by guaranteeing due process, restoring trust, and holding powerful institutions to the same standard we expect from everyone else. I’m proud to once again lead this effort with Representative Kustoff and look forward to continuing the fight to support those who make college sports great.”
“College sports not only unite communities, but help prepare our next generation for the future,” said Rep. Kustoff. “For too long the NCAA has operated with unchecked authority over college athletics, often treating its member universities and student athletes unfairly. That is why I introduced the NCAA Accountability Act. This bill will help ensure the due process, transparency, and fairness our universities and student-athletes deserve. I urge my colleagues to support this important bill that will hold the NCAA accountable.”
“College athletics bring out the best in our students and inspire communities across the country,” said Rep. Harder. “It’s only fair that student-athletes get the support and protections they need to succeed both on the field and in the classroom. This bill makes sure they do.”
Background:
With nearly 1,100 member universities and 460,000 student athletes, the NCAA is the largest collegiate athletic association in the U.S. It governs the athletic programs of and competition between member universities. Through its monopoly power and lack of oversight, the NCAA investigates and punishes its members with little regard for fairness, due process, or transparency. Its rules are irregularly enforced, and its investigations lack established procedures. Further, the NCAA punishes universities inconsistently and unpredictably.
The NCAA Accountability Act will:
Due Process:
- Require the NCAA to provide its member universities with fair notice regarding enforcement proceedings.
- Require the NCAA to complete any investigation no later than one year after it begins.
- Establish a two-year statute of limitations.
- Prohibit information from confidential sources from being offered into the NCAA’s enforcement decisions.
- Prohibit the NCAA from publicly disclosing information relating to an ongoing investigation until formal charges are filed.
Fairness, Consistency, Accountability:
- Provide member universities the right to resolve disputes (over sanctions for bylaw infractions) with the NCAA through arbitration. The 3-person arbitration panel will provide an independent, unbiased review and legally binding decision.
- Require the NCAA to conduct its enforcement proceedings and investigations in a fair and consistent manner. The penalties issued against member institutions for bylaw infractions shall be equitable with respect to severity of the infraction and the institution’s history of infractions.
- Direct the NCAA to submit an annual report to the DOJ summarizing its enforcement proceedings. The NCAA must also submit separate reports to each state’s Attorney General summarizing its interactions with member universities headquartered in their respective states.
Enforcement:
- Direct the DOJ to establish supervisory and investigatory procedures to determine the NCAA’s compliance with this bill.
- Authorize the DOJ, through an administrative law judge, to fine the NCAA or individuals on staff up to $15,000,000 for violating the provisions of this bill.
- Authorize the DOJ to order the permanent removal of any member on the NCAA’s Board of Governors.
The full text of the legislation is available here.
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