The proposed SCORE Act, introduced in the House of Representatives, was billed as a solution to the growing chaos surrounding name, image and likeness deals, revenue sharing and the transfer portal in college athletics. Proponents argued that the legislation would bring much‑needed clarity and protect the integrity of the collegiate model.
But the bill quickly ran into a wall of resistance from some of the most visible voices in women’s basketball. Representatives of the United College Athletes Association and several current and former players have labeled the measure a partisan attempt to grant the NCAA sweeping antitrust exemptions while stripping athletes of employee status.
A Voice From the Court
Charlisse Leger‑Walker, a standout guard from Washington State, joined teammates Oluchi Okananwa of Maryland and Brooke Daniels, a two‑time Big Ten defensive honoree, in calling for a seat at the decision‑making table. Their statements underscore a broader frustration that legislative efforts are being shaped without input from the students who will be most directly affected.
The trio has been joined by more than a hundred Division I women’s basketball players who signed a letter requesting a meeting with SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey and Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti. The request was denied, a move that has only amplified the criticism aimed at the NCAA and its power‑conference leaders.
Legislative Limbo
House Republicans, facing pressure from the Congressional Black Caucus and a coalition of athlete advocates, removed the SCORE Act from the upcoming vote calendar. The withdrawal leaves the bill in a state of uncertainty, with no clear path forward despite ongoing lobbying by NCAA representatives and the so‑called Power Two conferences.
Representative Lori Trahan of Massachusetts has been a vocal critic, describing the proposal as a “partisan piece of legislation that silences athletes and rolls back their rights.” Her stance reflects a growing bipartisan concern that the bill was drafted behind closed doors by lobbyists rather than through an inclusive legislative process.
What Comes Next
While the SCORE Act remains stalled, the debate it ignited is unlikely to fade. Athletes, advocacy groups and lawmakers alike are signaling that any future attempt to regulate college sports will need to incorporate the perspectives of those who play the games. Whether that will translate into concrete policy remains to be seen.