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WASHINGTON — Congressman Shomari Figures is helping to lead a bill to establish a national framework on student-athlete compensation.

The bipartisan legislation dubbed the Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act would set federal rules for student-athletes’ ability to earn money from their name, image and likeness.

A House Energy and Commerce subcommittee will hold a markup on the NIL bill on Tuesday. Figures, D-Mobile, introduced the bill last week alongside other lawmakers, including Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-FL, and seven other representatives. Figures said the collegiate sports bill is especially relevant in Alabama.

“This bill was just an effort to help streamline efficiencies and get us to a point where we can just get back to enjoying the sports that we like,” Figures told Alabama Daily News.

The SCORE Act would codify student-athletes’ ability to receive NIL compensation. The federal guidelines would overrule any state NIL laws. Alabama does not currently have a specific NIL law after state legislation was repealed in 2022.

Student-athletes would be able to hire agents to represent them in NIL agreements. Agents would be required to register with an interstate intercollegiate college association, like the NCAA.

“This bill lays out some clear guideposts for what’s required of universities (and) what students can expect to receive from universities and conferences,” Figures told ADN.

The bill requires most Division I schools to provide student-athletes a range of services, including academic and career support, mental health programs, NIL guidance and financial literacy resources. Schools would need to provide medical and health benefits to athletes. Athletes would also receive injury-related protections and academic financial assistance.

“College athletics are a vital part of American culture, and it’s clear—from both student-athletes and universities—that a national framework is long overdue,” Bilirakis said in a statement. “The Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements Act delivers the stability, clarity and transparency that stakeholders have been calling for.”

It allows athletic associations to set parameters around student-athletes transferring between institutions, eligibility and recruitment.

College athletes would be prohibited from being employees of universities, conferences or athletic associations.

Schools or universities with high media rights revenues would not be allowed to use non-athlete student fees to help fund intercollegiate athletic programs. Other schools would be required to post publicly how student fees are used for athletics.

University of Alabama Athletic Director Greg Byrne expressed his support for the legislation in a social media post.

“Wonderful to see a bipartisan effort with the introduction of the SCORE Act that could lead to stability for college athletics,” he said.

The SEC commissioner said the legislation provides a “national solution” for athletes, coaches and universities.

“I welcome the commitment of Representative Shomari Figures to support a sustainable future for college athletics,” Greg Sankey said in a statement. “During this time of historic change, his efforts to provide clarity and stability to student-athletes, universities and the broader collegiate sports landscape are meaningful.”

Figures said he understands there is broad interest in NIL and expects the bill will continue to be improved as it’s considered in the House.

“My hope is that we can continue to try to work to make this bill the strongest it can be in terms of protections it offers for student-athletes and the clarity that it offers for universities, for conferences and for the governing sports organizations,” he said.

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As Chair of Tamworth Spartans Volleyball Club, and having worked as a consultant for Volleyball England, he was well aware that the governing body was encountering difficult times.

Encouraged to stand as an Elected Board Director by then-Chief Executive Janet Inman, he has since played an important role in helping the organisation get back on a sound financial and structural footing. 

Only then, in later years of his eight-year tenure, has he been able to help drive and develop the game in England, as Chair of the An Ace Service Sub-group. 

“Going back nine years I was doing (communications) consultancy work for Volleyball England, having gone self-employed in 2016, when Janet asked me to work in the office two days a week,” said Simon. 

“Eventually the communications went back to an in-staff role, but Janet asked me if I would consider applying to be on the Board. 

“I’d been Chair of my club for five years, so I thought it was something I could use my experience to get involved with.” 

Since then, it’s been a tenure of “two halves” for Simon, who has helped Volleyball England through the Covid-19 Pandemic and overseen much positive change. 

First, though, came some challenging times when keeping the organisation functioning remained the number one priority. 

He said: “Volleyball England was in trouble in 2017, and, in the first two years, it was all about trying to safeguard the organisation. 

“At that time, Volleyball England was essentially on Sport England’s naughty step, and it was a hand-to-mouth existence just to make sure we continued. 

“It was not always a fun time as Janet and the Board tried to get the sport back on an even keel. We spent a lot of time plowing through financial updates and Sport England submissions. We had to make some hard choices. 

“But all that effort paved the way for the second half, which was to be more interesting and proactive.

“One of the best things was creating The Game Plan, which was launched in 2020. In the second half of 2019, I spent a lot of time with Adam (Walker), Seyram (Atubra), Sue (Storey) and Clare (Francis) working on the plan. 

“I am very proud of the contribution I have made and the progress we have made as an organisation, which is unrecognisable now from when I first became involved.”

Among the highlights of Simon’s stint on the Board has been the staging of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. 

As a proud West Midlander, he was delighted to see its impact on the city, with the Bello brothers, Javier and Joaquin, winning a bronze medal for England in the beach volleyball. 

“To be involved in an organisation that is helping something like the Commonwealth Games in your home city was amazing,” said Simon. 

“Another thing from which I take great pride is starting the process of reviewing the refereeing structure, and also looking at some of the challenges facing the NVL. 

“Some of the things that have been implemented might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but we have been doing what we think is right to try to raise standards in the sport.” 

While thoroughly enjoying his time in post, Simon believes now is the right time for other people to step up, having served a maximum of eight years on the Board. 

His replacement in the role will be decided by a vote of member clubs at this weekend’s AGM, where they will choose between Anton Kornilov and Jeanne Riot. 

“Eight years is a long time,” said Simon. “This will give other people the chance to come in with fresh enthusiasm… I think eight years is about the maximum. 

“I’ve said to Adam (Walker) and the other directors that if they need help or advice, then they can always come to me, just as remains the case with Clare (Francis, former Deputy Chair). 

“Like her, I will continue to play a big part in volleyball, both on the club scene and helping with the West Midlands Volleyball Association (for whom wife Kara is Chair). 

“In my professional life I’ve been setting up a new board game café close to where I live in Moseley. 

“That’s happening alongside me continuing my other work, so it’s going to be a very busy time for me, even after coming to the end of this role.

“I’d like to thank Adam, as Chair. I’ve learned a lot from him and being in contact with him. I really like the working environment he has established for the Board and he’s been able to make sure that everyone’s voice has been heard.”

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A new investigation finds that junk food firms have over 90 sponsorship deals with top UK sports, including brands like Cadbury, Pepsi, KP Snacks, Walkers, Kellogg’s, Red Bull, and Monster. It underscores that these partnerships weaken government initiatives to reduce junk food advertising and address the UK’s obesity problem.

The feature in BMJ raises an issue of how these deals may impact public health. These brands have partnered with sporting stars, top-flight teams, and official governing bodies. 

The issue flags the rise in the food industry’s sponsorship of sports with widespread digital marketing and social media targeting. Experts worry that such moves give junk food firms a “health halo effect,” making consumers believe their products are more acceptable and less harmful.

Football stars Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Leah Williamson, and Lauren James have such partnerships. This includes England Cricket captain Ben Stokes, cyclist Tom Pidcock, and Formula 1 driver Lando Norris.

“The value of the European sports sponsorship market has increased by 15% since 2019 and was valued at a record £20 billion [US$27 billion] in 2024,” reads the publication.

Junk food ad ban delays

The investigation comes amid the Women’s Euro 2025 football tournament in Switzerland (2–27 July), which expects 500 million people to attend. 

However, official sponsors — Just Eat Takeaway, Hellman’s Mmayonnaise, and PepsiCo — are featured on LED boards next to pitches and on interview backdrops during press events, flags BMJ investigators. 

The deals enable unhealthy products to appear on daytime TV, including Hula Hoops on England cricket shirts, Red Bull logos beside football pitches, and Kit Kat branding alongside Formula 1 race tracks.

The investigation comes amid the Women’s Euro 2025 football tournament.They add that the food industry has been lobbying and delaying legislation banning television advertisements for high-fat, salty, or sugary foods before the 9 p.m. TV watershed. Initially planned for late 2022, then October 2025, the implementation has been shifted to next year.

Social media and sports stars

Experts say advertisements have become more “pervasive” and “prominent” than before, and social media of sports stars opens greater routes for digital marketing. Under the “Kick Big Soda out of Sport” campaign, health experts have called on FIFA and the Olympic Committee to end their Coca-Cola sponsorship deals.

“It’s so important because it’s for kids. Some of these sports personalities, these football stars, these rugby stars…They are kids’ idols,” says Beth Bradshaw, policy and advocacy manager at Food Active, part of the public health charity Health Equalities Group. 

The BMJ’s findings demonstrate “genuine sportswashing,” argues Labour member of parliament and general practitioner Simon Opher. They have asked the UK Health Secretary whether he will ban sports sponsorship events by unhealthy food brands. 

However, the government said it has no plans at the moment to do so, adding that it has no plans to ban the advertising of less healthy food or drink products at sports events. “We continue to review the evidence of the impacts of less healthy food or drink product advertising on children and will consider where further action is needed.”