NIL · FEDERAL · UPDATED NOVEMBER 4, 2026 · CHECKED EVERY MONDAY

The national picture.

Congress, the courts, the NCAA, the College Sports Commission and federal agencies. Each line has its status, the last thing that happened, and the primary source.

Published · Nov 4, 2026

One page for every federal bill, case, rule and order that touches athletes' NIL. S. 4668 and the SCORE Act, the House settlement and its appeals, the College Sports Commission cap, NIL Go reporting, the eligibility cases, SPARTA, the 1099 line and two executive orders, each with its status, last action and primary source.

Source: S. 4668 bill status (govinfo) · All updates

History of this page

Oct 21, 2026S. 4668 passed the Senate and is held at the House desk.

S. 4668, Protect College Sports Act of 2026

Last action Oct 5, 2026

IntroducedJun 2, 2026
Passed the SenateSep 28, 2026
Passed the HouseHeld at the desk since Oct 5, 2026
Signed into lawNot yet

It would set federal rules for college athletes' NIL deals, deal disclosure, agents, eligibility and transfers. Section 121 would preempt state laws that conflict with it or that regulate NCAA, conference or school rules on NIL pay, transfers or eligibility. Section 121 would bar state laws that conflict with the bill or that govern NCAA, conference or school rules on NIL pay, transfers or eligibility, while keeping state athlete agent acts, contract, privacy, consumer protection, tort and civil rights law in place where they do not conflict.

Every step and the bill's text

Everything tracked here

Federal and national NIL items · each checked Nov 4, 2026 against its primary source
Item	Status	Last action
S. 4668, Protect College Sports Act of 2026	Passed Senate	Oct 5, 2026: The House received the Senate-passed bill and is holding it at the desk; no House committee or floor action is recorded.
H.R. 4312, SCORE Act	In the House	Dec 1, 2025: The House Rules Committee reported H. Res. 916, a rule for floor debate; the House adopted the rule 210-209 on 2025-12-02, but no floor vote on the bill itself is recorded.
H.R. 9137, Protect College Sports Act of 2026	In the House	Jun 4, 2026: Introduced and referred to the Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Workforce Committees; no later action is recorded.
House v. NCAA settlement	In effect	Oct 30, 2026: Plaintiffs filed a motion on third-party purchases and settlement administration and a fee motion in the district court; at the Ninth Circuit, the consolidated appeals of final approval are set for oral argument on 2026-12-07 in San Francisco.
College Sports Commission benefits cap, 2026-27	In effect	Oct 1, 2026: The College Sports Commission said the 2026-27 cap year began July 1, 2026 and each participating school can share up to $21.58 million with its athletes; 2025-26 was $20.5 million.
NIL Go deal reporting, NCAA Bylaw 22.2.2	In effect	Aug 4, 2026: Bylaw 22.2.2.1.1 was adopted: the College Sports Commission may decline to clear a deal when the information or documents given are not enough, after 14 calendar days' notice (22.2.2.1.1.1).
NIL Go reporting for recruits and transfers, NCAA Bylaw 22.2.2.5	In effect	Oct 30, 2025: Bylaw 22.2.2.5 and its parts were adopted on 10/30/25; no later change appears in the 2026-27 Manual.
Wisne v. NCAA	In court	Oct 2, 2026: The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, refusing to combine the NCAA eligibility cases, stated that the Wisne order is stayed pending an appeal to the Tenth Circuit.
In re NCAA Eligibility Rules Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 3198	In court	Oct 2, 2026: The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation denied the NCAA's request to move the eligibility suits into one court, so they continue separately in their own districts.
Blythe v. NCAA	In court	Sep 9, 2026: The Ninth Circuit published its reasons for its April 8, 2026 order vacating a baseball player's preliminary injunction. It held that NCAA eligibility rules that affect commerce, including the Five-Year Rule, are subject to antitrust law, but that the player had not shown he was likely to win.
Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act (SPARTA), 15 U.S.C. 7801-7807	In effect	Jan 12, 2026: The FTC sent information requests to 20 universities with Division I sports programs about agents' compliance with SPARTA, with answers due March 23, 2026.
Form 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC reporting threshold, tax year 2026	In effect	Jan 1, 2026: For payments made after December 31, 2025, the line for a business to file a 1099 for services is $2,000, up from $600; it may be adjusted for inflation from 2027.
Executive Order 14400, Urgent National Action To Save College Sports	In effect	Sep 11, 2026: GSA gave notice that it will ask OMB to approve an annual SAM.gov certification in which colleges with $20 million or more (adjusted for inflation) in athletics revenue certify compliance with the order; comments were due October 13, 2026.
Executive Order 14322, Saving College Sports	In effect	Jul 24, 2025: Signed July 24, 2025; no Labor Department or NLRB guidance on athletes' employee status under the order was found in the Federal Register through November 4, 2026.

Congress

Bills that would set one national rule for college athletes.

Passed SenateLast action Oct 5, 2026

S. 4668, Protect College Sports Act of 2026

Latest: The House received the Senate-passed bill and is holding it at the desk; no House committee or floor action is recorded.

Details and sources

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), 9 cosponsors

Section 121: Section 121 would bar state laws that conflict with the bill or that govern NCAA, conference or school rules on NIL pay, transfers or eligibility, while keeping state athlete agent acts, contract, privacy, consumer protection, tort and civil rights law in place where they do not conflict.

Section 102 would amend SPARTA (written agency contracts only, a 5% cap on an agent's fee on an endorsement contract, agent registration, a private right of action); section 122 says the bill is neutral on whether athletes are employees; section 115 is titled congressional approval of continuation of revenue share cap and retention fund.

H.R. 9137 is the House version with the same title (see hr-9137).

Steps so far

2026-06-02Introduced in the Senate and referred to the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
2026-06-18Committee ordered it reported with a substitute
2026-06-24Reported to the Senate; placed on the calendar (No. 449)
2026-09-15Cloture on the motion to proceed invoked, 74-24 (Record Vote 235)
2026-09-17Motion to proceed agreed to, 77-22 (Record Vote 236)
2026-09-24Cloture on the bill invoked, 74-25 (Record Vote 243)
2026-09-28Passed the Senate with an amendment, 77-22 (Record Vote 250)
2026-10-05Received in the House and held at the desk

Sources, checked Nov 4, 2026

In the HouseLast action Dec 1, 2025

H.R. 4312, SCORE Act (Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements Act)

It is the House's 2025 federal college sports bill on NIL, agents and athlete status; it has not passed the House.

Latest: The House Rules Committee reported H. Res. 916, a rule for floor debate; the House adopted the rule 210-209 on 2025-12-02, but no floor vote on the bill itself is recorded.

Details and sources

Sponsor: Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12), 21 cosponsors (a 22nd withdrew on 2025-09-11)

Steps so far

2025-07-10Introduced; referred to Education and Workforce and to Energy and Commerce
2025-07-23Ordered reported by both committees (Energy and Commerce 30-23; Education and Workforce 18-17)
2025-09-11Reported (H. Rept. 119-270, Parts I and II); Union Calendar No. 226
2025-11-25Supplemental reports filed (Parts III and IV)
2025-12-01Rules Committee reported H. Res. 916 providing for consideration
2025-12-02House agreed to H. Res. 916, 210-209 (Roll no. 309)

Sources, checked Nov 4, 2026

In the HouseLast action Jun 4, 2026

H.R. 9137, Protect College Sports Act of 2026 (House version)

Its text as introduced is the same as S. 4668 as introduced, apart from small wording fixes.

Latest: Introduced and referred to the Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Workforce Committees; no later action is recorded.

Details and sources

Sponsor: Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-WA-5), 1 cosponsor

Sources, checked Nov 4, 2026

The House settlement and the College Sports Commission

What the settlement set up, and the cap on what a school pays its athletes.

In effectLast action Oct 30, 2026

House v. NCAA settlement (In re College Athlete NIL Litigation, N.D. Cal. No. 4:20-cv-03919-CW)

The settlement lets schools pay athletes directly up to a yearly cap, lets the NCAA limit NIL payments from associated entities and individuals such as boosters unless they meet a valid business purpose and comparable-pay standard, with the College Sports Commission as enforcement entity, and pays $2.576 billion in damages to members of the damages classes.

Latest: Plaintiffs filed a motion on third-party purchases and settlement administration and a fee motion in the district court; at the Ninth Circuit, the consolidated appeals of final approval are set for oral argument on 2026-12-07 in San Francisco.

Details and sources

Final approval: 2025-06-06, Judge Claudia Wilken (order granting final approval, Dkt. 979; opinion, Dkt. 978; final judgment, Dkt. 980)

Appeals

Ninth Circuit Nos. 25-3722, 25-3835, 25-4137, 25-4150, 25-4190, 25-4218 (consolidated, appeals of final approval): oral argument set for 2026-12-07, 9:00 a.m., Courtroom 3, San Francisco; latest docket entry 2026-11-02 (motion by appellants Charlotte North and others).
Ninth Circuit Nos. 25-7461, 25-7467, 25-7469, 25-7824, 25-7869 (objectors' appeals filed November-December 2025, consolidated 2026-02-04; No. 25-7869 appeals the 2025-11-13 order overruling objections to the continuation of the injunctive relief settlement, Dkt. 1071): notice of oral argument filed 2026-09-27 for 2026-12-07.
Ninth Circuit No. 25-4185: dismissed by stipulation 2025-07-29.
Ninth Circuit No. 26-6698 (Gannon Flynn, appeal of the 2026-09-03 order): opened 2026-10-09; opening brief due 2026-12-28.

Orders in 2026

2026-06-09Judge Wilken approved, as modified, the notice to incoming athletes for 2026-27 (Dkt. 1115).
2026-06-25Chief Magistrate Judge Nathanael Cousins, as special master, denied plaintiffs' motion to declare that multimedia rights companies and third-party brand sponsors are not 'associated entities' (Dkt. 1136).
2026-08-04Judge Wilken declined to reverse the special master's June 25 order, found the court has jurisdiction over plaintiffs' dispute about the College Sports Commission's investigations of multimedia rights companies and brand sponsors, sent that dispute to the special master, and found plaintiffs may request related documents from defendants and the CSC (Dkt. 1144).
2026-08-11Judge Wilken found a new NCAA-noticed case (No. 5:26-cv-07559) related but did not take it over (Dkt. 1148).
2026-09-03Judge Wilken overruled three incoming athletes' objections to the continuation of the injunctive relief settlement (Dkt. 1158).
2026-09-16The special master ordered a further joint update on the multimedia rights and brand sponsor dispute (Dkt. 1161); on 2026-09-25 plaintiffs and the CSC were ordered to file a joint letter brief by 2026-10-02 (Dkt. 1164).
2026-10-28Discovery hearing before Chief Magistrate Judge Cousins on plaintiffs' request for documents from the College Sports Commission; the scope dispute was resolved on the record, with a joint status report due 2026-12-11 (Dkt. 1181).

Sources, checked Nov 4, 2026

In effectLast action Oct 1, 2026

College Sports Commission benefits cap, 2026-27

It is the yearly limit on what a participating school may pay its athletes directly under the House settlement; third-party NIL payments do not count against it.

Latest: The College Sports Commission said the 2026-27 cap year began July 1, 2026 and each participating school can share up to $21.58 million with its athletes; 2025-26 was $20.5 million.

Details and sources

Figure: $21.58 million per school, 2026-27 (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027)

Sources, checked Nov 4, 2026

NCAA rules

Division I bylaws on reporting deals, from the current Manual.

In effectLast action Aug 4, 2026

NIL Go deal reporting, NCAA Bylaw 22.2.2

Division I athletes report every third-party NIL contract or payment term worth $600 or more, added up by payor, to NIL Go within five business days of signing or agreeing terms.

Latest: Bylaw 22.2.2.1.1 was adopted: the College Sports Commission may decline to clear a deal when the information or documents given are not enough, after 14 calendar days' notice (22.2.2.1.1.1).

Details and sources

The CSC's June 6, 2025 release set June 11, 2025 as the NIL Go launch date.

The bylaws

22.2.2Report noninstitutional NIL contracts or payment terms of $600 or more, payments from the same or substantially the same payor added together (adopted 6/6/25, effective 7/1/25; revised 8/5/25).
22.2.2.1.1Not enough information or documents, or a refusal to give them, is grounds for a deal not to be cleared (adopted 8/4/26); 22.2.2.1.1.1 requires 14 calendar days' notice first (adopted 8/4/26).
22.2.2.2Report within five business days of execution or agreement to payment terms; missing it may lead to discipline including ineligibility (adopted 6/6/25, effective 7/1/25; revised 10/28/25).
22.2.2.2.1Once a school finds a possibly unreported deal it has two business days to review and notify the CSC; if still unreported, the CSC makes the athlete ineligible until it is reported (adopted 10/28/25).

Sources, checked Nov 4, 2026

In effectLast action Oct 30, 2025

NIL Go reporting for recruits and transfers, NCAA Bylaw 22.2.2.5

Recruits report third-party NIL deals of $600 or more from the first day of junior year of high school (or two-year college enrollment), and four-year transfers from the day they enter the transfer portal, by 14 days after enrolling or before the first outside contest, whichever comes first.

Latest: Bylaw 22.2.2.5 and its parts were adopted on 10/30/25; no later change appears in the 2026-27 Manual.

Details and sources

The bylaws

22.2.2.5.1High school and two-year college recruits: deals of $600 or more from the first day of junior-year classes or two-year college enrollment, payments on or after 7/1/25.
22.2.2.5.2Four-year transfers: deals of $600 or more from the date entered into the NCAA Transfer Portal; a cleared deal that stays in place is not resubmitted.
22.2.2.5.3Deadline: 14 days after initial full-time enrollment at a Division I school or before the school's first contest against outside competition in the sport, whichever is first.
22.2.2.5.4Recruits attest during onboarding that all deals have been or will be reported.

Sources, checked Nov 4, 2026

2026-27 NCAA Division I Manual, Bylaw 22.2.2.5 (LSDBi report, page dated 11/4/26)

Courts

Cases that are deciding athletes' status and eligibility.

In courtLast action Oct 2, 2026

Wisne v. NCAA (fifth season of eligibility class action)

A certified class of Division I athletes claims under antitrust law that the NCAA's June 2026 age-based five-season rule unlawfully leaves out athletes who had already played four seasons.

Latest: The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, refusing to combine the NCAA eligibility cases, stated that the Wisne order is stayed pending an appeal to the Tenth Circuit.

Details and sources

Court: U.S. District Court, D. Colo., No. 1:26-cv-03063-CNS-KAS (Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney); appeal to the Tenth Circuit

History

2026-07-31Class certified under Rule 23(b)(2) (Dkt. 37) and a preliminary injunction granted (Dkt. 38).
2026-08-02Order clarifying the injunction (Dkt. 41).
2026-08-10District court denied the NCAA's motion to stay the injunction pending appeal (Dkt. 56).
2026-10-02JPML order (MDL No. 3198) says the order in Wisne is stayed pending an appeal to the Tenth Circuit.

Sources, checked Nov 4, 2026

In courtLast action Oct 2, 2026

In re NCAA Eligibility Rules Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 3198

Seven listed suits in five districts, plus fifteen related ones, challenge NCAA rules on how many seasons an athlete may play, including the old Five-Year Rule, the counting of junior college and NAIA seasons, and the new age-based rule.

Latest: The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation denied the NCAA's request to move the eligibility suits into one court, so they continue separately in their own districts.

Details and sources

Sources, checked Nov 4, 2026

govinfo, JPML order denying transfer (2026-10-02)

In courtLast action Sep 9, 2026

Blythe v. NCAA (Ninth Circuit, published opinion)

A college baseball player challenged the NCAA's Five-Year Rule under the Sherman Act to gain another season.

Latest: The Ninth Circuit published its reasons for its April 8, 2026 order vacating a baseball player's preliminary injunction. It held that NCAA eligibility rules that affect commerce, including the Five-Year Rule, are subject to antitrust law, but that the player had not shown he was likely to win.

Details and sources

Court: Ninth Circuit No. 26-1106, from D. Nev. No. 3:26-cv-00100

Same day, Braham v. NCAA (Nos. 25-5040, 25-5962): the Ninth Circuit dismissed the NCAA's appeals of 2025 football eligibility injunctions as moot.

Sources, checked Nov 4, 2026

Federal law

Laws already on the books.

In effectLast action Jan 12, 2026

Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act (SPARTA), 15 U.S.C. 7801-7807

It bars athlete agents from recruiting student athletes with false or misleading information or promises, or with anything of value given before the athlete signs; it requires a written disclosure when an agency contract is signed and notice to the school's athletic director.

Latest: The FTC sent information requests to 20 universities with Division I sports programs about agents' compliance with SPARTA, with answers due March 23, 2026.

Details and sources

S. 4668 section 102 would amend SPARTA (see s-4668); not law.

The sections

7801Definitions.
7802Unlawful: false or misleading recruiting, giving anything of value before signing, signing without the disclosure document, and pre- or post-dating a contract; the required disclosure warns the athlete about losing eligibility.
7803A violation is treated as an unfair or deceptive act under the FTC Act; the FTC enforces it.
7804State attorneys general may sue in federal court.
7805Agent and athlete each tell the athletic director within 72 hours of signing or before the next athletic event, whichever is first.
7806Other federal and state remedies remain available.
7807Sense of Congress that states enact the Uniform Athlete Agents Act.

Sources, checked Nov 4, 2026

In effectLast action Jan 1, 2026

Form 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC reporting threshold, tax year 2026

A business that pays a nonemployee $2,000 or more in 2026 for services in the course of its trade or business files Form 1099-NEC.

Latest: For payments made after December 31, 2025, the line for a business to file a 1099 for services is $2,000, up from $600; it may be adjusted for inflation from 2027.

Details and sources

Law: Public Law 119-21 (approved July 4, 2025), section 70433, amending 26 U.S.C. 6041(a) and 6041A(a)(2) and adding 6041(h) inflation adjustment for calendar years after 2026.

Sources, checked Nov 4, 2026

The White House and federal agencies

Executive orders and what agencies have done under them.

In effectLast action Sep 11, 2026

Executive Order 14400, Urgent National Action To Save College Sports

Signed April 3, 2026, with sections 3 through 6 effective August 1, 2026, it tells agencies that contract with or fund colleges to evaluate violations of the national college athletics governing body's rules on eligibility, transfers, revenue sharing and 'improper financial activities', such as fraudulent NIL schemes above fair market value, when judging a college's present responsibility as a contractor or grantee.

Latest: GSA gave notice that it will ask OMB to approve an annual SAM.gov certification in which colleges with $20 million or more (adjusted for inflation) in athletics revenue certify compliance with the order; comments were due October 13, 2026.

Details and sources

Its directions go to federal agencies and officials; section 8(c) says it creates no right or benefit enforceable at law.

Sources, checked Nov 4, 2026

In effectLast action Jul 24, 2025

Executive Order 14322, Saving College Sports

It directs the Secretary of Labor and the NLRB to clarify athletes' status, and the Attorney General and the FTC to work to stabilize college athletics through litigation and other actions when it is challenged under antitrust or other legal theories.

Latest: Signed July 24, 2025; no Labor Department or NLRB guidance on athletes' employee status under the order was found in the Federal Register through November 4, 2026.

Details and sources

Sources, checked Nov 4, 2026

Federal Register, Executive Order 14322, 90 FR 35821 (July 29, 2025)

SOURCES · CHECKED NOVEMBER 4, 2026

Each item lists its own primary sources: the bill's status and text on govinfo, the court's orders and dockets, the NCAA Division I Manual, the College Sports Commission's releases, the Federal Register and the U.S. Code. How we check · Federal updates

Information, not legal advice. Leave is software; it is not an athlete agent.