In a notable move to protect college sports, Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT) and Marc Veasey (D-TX) have put forward a bipartisan bill. This proposal aims to block foreign investments in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and other sources of collegiate athletic revenue.
The No Foreign NIL Funds Act is designed to keep foreign entities from using financial contributions to sway college sports. The goal? Protect national security and the future of collegiate athletics.
The Importance of the No Foreign NIL Funds Act
NIL agreements have unlocked new ways for student-athletes to make money from their personal brands. But with that, some cracks have appeared—foreign states or their affiliates might find ways to take advantage.
The No Foreign NIL Funds Act tries to patch these cracks. It would ban foreign nations and their entities from donating to any collegiate NIL agreement, investing in college sports revenue, or grabbing naming rights, media contracts, joint ventures, and sponsorships.
The bill also blocks foreign nations from hosting events like tournaments or bowl games abroad. That’s a pretty sweeping set of restrictions.
Protecting the Integrity of College Sports
College sports are woven into American life. They’re a huge part of campus culture, local communities, and—let’s be honest—family rituals every fall and spring.
Letting foreign entities pour money and sponsorships into college sports through NIL deals could weaken the integrity of the game. It also opens the door to national security headaches we probably don’t need.
Rep. Moore put it bluntly: NIL should help athletes, not become a sneaky way for foreign money to seep into American schools.
Current Federal Regulations and the Need for Change
Right now, federal rules and court decisions around NIL don’t really stop foreign actors from donating to NIL arrangements. As long as they follow the requirements from the 2025 House vs. NCAA settlement, they’re in the clear.
Most NIL collectives are set up as LLCs, so donor lists and deal terms often stay private. This lack of sunlight makes it easier for foreign actors to get involved without anyone noticing.
Examples of Foreign Influence Concerns
There’ve been a few eyebrow-raising incidents that show why this is a real concern:
- In October 2024, a former University of Colorado football coach traveled to Saudi Arabia to pitch investments in Colorado’s 5430 Alliance NIL collective.
- In October 2025, University of North Carolina football general manager Michael Lombardi took a fundraising trip to Saudi Arabia to talk about possible sponsorships.
- Atlantic Coast Conference reps met with Saudi officials about hosting the 2025 Holiday Bowl in Saudi Arabia.
- Several Power 4 athletic conferences are working on an early-season college basketball tournament in Dubai for November 2026.
Key Provisions of the No Foreign NIL Funds Act
Here’s a rundown of what the No Foreign NIL Funds Act would do:
- Bans foreign contributions to NIL agreements with colleges, student-athletes, and private collectives or booster groups.
- Restricts foreign investments in college athletics revenue streams, stopping universities, conferences, media rights companies, and bowl or post-season football organizations from making deals that involve money, ownership, or participation from entities in covered foreign nations.
- Prohibits certain activities by universities, conferences, media rights companies, and bowl or post-season football organizations when foreign nations are involved. This covers naming rights, selling or licensing broadcasting rights, conference-wide or school sponsorships, capital investment joint ventures tied to athletics or media, and hosting amateur competitions or matches.
Some foreign nations are exempt, including NATO members, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland. So, it’s not a blanket ban on everyone outside the U.S.
Support from University Officials and Legislators
Utah State Athletics has backed the No Foreign NIL Funds Act. They say it’s crucial to make sure NIL opportunities come from sources that are right for the university, the state, and—most importantly—the student-athletes.
Cameron Walker, Utah State’s Vice President and Director of Athletics, gave Congressman Moore credit for working toward a safer, more sustainable future for college sports.
Rep. Veasey agreed, saying college athletics should focus on giving student-athletes opportunities—not letting foreign governments buy their way in. This bipartisan bill draws a line by banning foreign donations to NIL deals and aims to keep college sports, and national security, intact.
Conclusion
The No Foreign NIL Funds Act is a new piece of legislation that’s turning a lot of heads. It’s aimed at preserving the integrity and amateur status of college sports in the U.S.
This bipartisan bill would stop foreign investments in NIL deals and other revenue streams tied to college athletics. The idea? Keep U.S. higher education insulated from outside influence and make sure NIL opportunities actually help student-athletes.
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