Bill Overview
Title: College Athletes Bill of Rights
Description: This bill addresses issues of rights to compensation, health and safety standards, and educational opportunities for college athletes. Included among the bill's provisions are those that prohibit an institution of higher education, an intercollegiate athletic association, or a conference from restricting the ability of college athletes to market the use of their names, images, likenesses, or athletic reputations; set penalties for any such institution that violates specified protections for athletes; establish a Commission on College Athletics to protect the economic interests of college athletes and promote the health, wellness, and safety of college athletes and establish a medical trust fund to cover the cost of out-of-pocket expenses relating to any sports-related injury; and direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to establish health, wellness, and safety standards for intercollegiate athletic programs.
Sponsors: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Target Audience
Population: College athletes
Estimated Size: 460000
- The target population is college athletes, who are specifically mentioned throughout the bill.
- College athletes are impacted through rights to compensation and protections for their name, image, and likeness.
- The establishment of a Commission on College Athletics directly involves those engaged in intercollegiate athletics.
- College athletes will benefit from enhanced health, wellness, and safety standards mandated by the bill.
Reasoning
- The majority of the impacted population will be college athletes who are directly involved with NCAA and intercollegiate sports. They will most directly experience changes to their compensation rights and health protections.
- There will be indirectly related effects, such as those felt by family members of affected athletes and part-time college athletes not directly connected with major intercollegiate athletics, though these effects will generally be lower in intensity.
- Budgetary constraints mean the policy can't cover every specific aspect for every athlete, especially given the size of potential medical costs. However, the large budget over 10 years suggests significant long-term investment in athlete welfare programs, thus potentially improving overall wellbeing gradually over time.
Simulated Interviews
college athlete (North Carolina)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am excited about the protections and the potential to earn from my brand.
- I hope this will lead to better health standards during our training camps.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
college athlete (California)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Finally, we can manage our own brands.
- Extra focus on health is a major plus, considering past injuries.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
college athlete (Texas)
Age: 20 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am thrilled by the ability to earn using my image.
- I hope this will include better health checks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
student (Florida)
Age: 21 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this is great especially for my friends on the college team, but it won't affect me much.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
student (Ohio)
Age: 19 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It sounds good for those involved in athletics but doesn't seem to impact me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
college athlete (New York)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The medical trust fund is a relief due to my injury.
- Hope these regulations prevent future injuries like mine.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
college athlete (Illinois)
Age: 21 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We've needed something like this for a while.
- Securing our health and income rights is crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
college athlete (Michigan)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a landmark decision.
- I am keen on the marketing opportunities it offers!
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
college athlete (Oregon)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Enhanced protection and compensation rights are essential, especially for players like me looking to go pro.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
college athlete (Alabama)
Age: 20 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Happy to see safety protocols being addressed.
- Ability to monetize my skills is much needed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Year 2: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Year 3: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Year 5: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Year 10: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Year 100: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Key Considerations
- The enforcement and administration of athlete compensation and benefits involve significant government oversight and coordination.
- Health and wellness standards must be continually updated, reflecting new research and developments in athlete safety.
- The operational costs of new regulatory bodies and trust funds need careful long-term funding strategies to ensure sustainability.