Congress Acts on College Sports Reform – Striking the Right Balance for Athletes and Institutions is Essential
- Gregory Knight
- Aug 7
- 3 min read
College sports are changing fast. Name Image Likeness (NIL) deals, massive media contracts, donor-led collectives, and shifting conference alignments are flooding the system with money and pressure. Athletes, families, coaches, and institutions are all feeling the weight.
With rising expectations and few clear guardrails, the stakes have never been higher.
Congress recently introduced legislation known as the SCORE Act—an effort to create federal standards for NIL rights, protect scholarships, and offer post-career mental fitness and health coverage for student-athletes. Protecting the value of college sports starts with protecting athletes.
That’s always been personal to me. After a knee injury ended my football career at the University of Colorado, I found myself facing the uncertainty of life beyond the game. I never worried about losing my scholarship—not because I had it all figured out, but because the leadership at CU made it clear they stood by me.
That support secured my education, shaped my future, and gave me a deep appreciation for what athlete-centered programs should look like. Still, the transition away from sport was hard. With greater mental fitness tools, I might’ve navigated that shift with fewer internal battles. That’s why I fight so hard to ensure today’s athletes have what I didn’t.
Along with the co-founders of the National Sports Association of Wellness & Mental Fitness (NSAWMF), I recognize the importance of Congress stepping in, but any meaningful reform must start with the athlete at the center. The rules we set today should lift up the most vital part of collegiate sports: the players themselves. That means protecting athletes, supporting parents, and providing clear, consistent guidance for coaches and institutions.
4 Questions Every Athlete, Parent, and Coach Should Be Asking About the SCORE Act
Does the “fair market value” provision for NIL actually cap what athletes can earn? Who decides what’s “fair,” and is that fair to the athlete?
If schools are shielded from lawsuits, how will athletes hold them accountable for harm? Legal protection for schools can’t come at the expense of athlete safety or justice.
Will current and post-career healthcare truly meet the long-term needs of athletes, physically and mentally? Two or three years of coverage won’t fix a lifetime of pain, nor does it build the mental fitness athletes need to thrive during and after their playing years.
Does this reform truly center athletes, or does it protect the status quo under a new name? If it doesn’t rebalance power, it’s not real reform.
What the National Sports Association of Wellness & Mental Fitness Calls For
Mental Fitness as a Core Standard: Embed mental fitness preparation, ongoing education, and access to services into every stage of an athlete’s journey—during competition and well beyond eligibility.
Athlete-First Reform: Center policies around athlete well-being, with guaranteed scholarships, fair NIL rights, and extended health protections.
Accountability for Support Systems: Hold schools, collectives, and third parties to clear, enforceable standards that protect athletes and empower parents and coaches.
A Future Beyond the Game: Ensure athletes are equipped for life after sport through mental fitness education, transition support, and long-term career development.
Sammy Knight, my brother, former pro NFL athlete, and co-founder of the NSAWMF, said this: “Congress deserves credit for initiating the Score Act and creating a starting point for governance around these issues. It’s up to us as athletes, parents, and coaches to look at the bill and work in concert with institutions to make sure that the athletes’ best interests mentally, physically, academically, and financially are insured currently and in the future.”
Learn More and Get Involved
I invite you to learn more about the SCORE Act by reading the official press release.
Join the NSAWMF for free today to gain more unique, credible, and actionable insights from our team and connect with a community that wants to help athletes on their journey in the world of sports.
Disclaimer: The content provided by the National Sports Association of Wellness & Mental Fitness (NSAWMF) is for performance and developmental purposes. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing mental health challenges or emotional distress, please seek support from a licensed mental health professional. Always consult a qualified provider with any questions you may have regarding your mental well-being.
