Husted, Walberg lead bicameral bill to protect college sports opportunities for American student-athletes

“If the U.S. Congress is being asked to ‘save college sports’ we should save it for American student-athletes.” WASHINGTON – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) today joined House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) in introducing the Training and Education for Americans Members in University Sports and Athletics (TEAM USA) Act. The bill would protect opportunities for American student-athletes by limiting international student-athlete (ISA) participation to no more than 20% of each varsity sports team. “As Congress considers the future of NIL and college sports, protecting opportunities for American student-athletes must come first. American colleges and universities are increasingly giving scholarships and limited roster spots to foreign athletes, and the growth of NIL money only creates more incentive for foreign athletes to cash in on the American system. If the U.S. Congress is being asked to ‘save college sports’ we should save it for American student-athletes,” said Husted. “American colleges and universities should first and foremost provide opportunities for American students. College athletics provides a pathway to world-class education and opportunities that last a lifetime. This bill restores balance by protecting roster spots for American student-athletes. America has built the strongest collegiate athletic system in the world, and we should make sure it continues to develop the next generation of American students and American Olympians,” said Walberg. Each year, NCAA Division I and II schools provide more than $4 billion in athletic scholarships to over 197,000 student-athletes. Since 2001, the number of ISAs receiving scholarships has nearly tripled, from approximately 8,945 to roughly 25,000 today. Only about 2% of American high school athletes receive an athletic scholarship. In several Division I sports, ISAs account for more than a third of participants, with some exceeding 60%. The TEAM USA Act would: Amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require colleges and universities participating in Title IV federal student aid programs to limit ISA participation to no more than 20% of each varsity team’s roster. Schools would also be required to report ISA participation on each team annually to the U.S. Department of Education and the applicable athletic association. Aim to strengthen the American Olympic development pipeline. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, 65% of Team USA were current, former or incoming NCAA student-athletes. However, of the 1,036 NCAA-affiliated athletes who competed in Paris, only 385 represented the United States, with the other 63% competing for other nations. Ensure that every team can roster at least 1 ISA if they so choose. Take effect beginning with the 2029-2030 academic year, to minimize disruption to current student athletes already on campus and giving schools and athletic programs time to adjust recruiting practices. The full bill is available here .