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HR 168

ATHLETICS: Requests the Board of Regents to conduct a comprehensive study and analysis of collegiate athletic program funding

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tehmi Chassion and 1 co-sponsor

Louisiana's Board of Regents will study the financial and operational impact of NIL revenue-sharing on public college athletic programs to assess sustainability and compliance.

Taken by the Clerk of the House and presented to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Rules of the House.
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Bill Summary · HR 168

Summary of HR 168 (Louisiana, 2026 Regular Session)

Title

ATHLETICS: Requests the Board of Regents to conduct a comprehensive study and analysis of collegiate athletic program funding

Purpose and Intent

  • Urges and requests the Louisiana Board of Regents to perform a thorough study of how collegiate athletic programs are funded, with a focus on the implications of name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation and revenue sharing models.
  • Examines the fiscal, operational, compliance, and student impacts associated with implementing the settlement in House v. NCAA, which restructures Division I athletics to allow direct institutional compensation to student-athletes via revenue sharing.

Context and Background

  • House v. NCAA settlement (effective July 1, 2025) enables direct revenue sharing between institutions and student-athletes for NIL.
  • The NCAA Board of Directors allowed eligible Division I institutions to opt into the settlement framework, subject to rules.
  • The College Sports Commission oversees the settlement's governance, including revenue sharing limits and compliance reviews.
  • Noted concerns: participating Louisiana institutions (a number of public universities listed in the bill) face increased ongoing costs, regulatory requirements, and potential changes to budgets and staffing.

Key Provisions and Areas to be Studied

The Board of Regents is asked to study, in consultation with public postsecondary education management boards, the following:

  1. Current Funding Structures

    • Institutional subsidies, student fees, self-generated revenues, and external affiliate financial support for athletic departments.

  2. Projected Fiscal Impact

    • Five-year budget projections under revenue-sharing models, including scenario analyses.

  3. Roster and Scholarships

    • Financial implications of changes to roster limits, including scholarship costs and enrollment effects.

  4. Compliance and Legal Costs

    • Costs associated with NIL reporting, disclosure, and oversight obligations.

  5. Staffing and Resource Allocation

    • Compliance, finance, and student-athlete support staffing needs and broader resource impacts.

  6. Capital and Facilities

    • Effects on capital outlay, deferred maintenance, and facility investments in athletic programs.

  7. Non-Revenue Sports

    • Impact on maintaining broad-based athletic participation opportunities.

  8. Title IX Compliance

    • Potential implications for gender equity in athletics.

  9. Impact on Other Divisions

    • Indirect effects on Division II and III institutions within Louisiana.

  10. Economic Impact

    • Broader effects of collegiate athletics on local and regional economies.

  11. Policies and Funding Practices

    • Review of current policies at institutional, system, and state levels governing athletic funding, including state appropriations and student fees.

  12. Subsidies, Tuition, and Fees

    • Impact of athletic funding on institutional subsidies, student fees, tuition, and mandatory fees.

  13. Long-Term Fiscal Sustainability

    • Policies or statutory changes needed to ensure sustainability while preserving student-athlete opportunities.

Deliverable and Timeline

  • The Board of Regents must produce a written report outlining findings and recommendations.
  • Target submission date: not later than February 15, 2027.
  • The report must be submitted to:
    • House Committee on Education
    • House Committee on Appropriations

Potential Impact and Implications

  • Aims to inform state policymakers and institutions about the financial and operational viability of NIL revenue-sharing within Louisiana public postsecondary systems.
  • Identifies cost drivers (staffing, compliance, capital, scholarships) and potential budgetary pressures on athletic departments.
  • Assesses effects on student access, programs (including non-revenue sports), and Title IX considerations.
  • Evaluates how shifts in athletic funding could affect local economies and regional communities reliant on universities' athletic programs.

Practical Considerations for Stakeholders

  • Louisiana public universities participating in NIL revenue sharing (e.g., LSU, UL System campuses, and others listed in the bill) may face recurring annual financial obligations under the settlement framework.
  • Institutions may need to reallocate resources, adjust rosters, or modify capital plans to align with new regulatory and reporting requirements.
  • The study’s findings could influence future funding models, policy decisions, and potential statutory changes to support long-term fiscal health of athletic programs.

Bottom Line

HR 168 requests a comprehensive, multi-year evaluation of how NIL-related funding changes and revenue-sharing mechanisms affect public postsecondary athletic departments in Louisiana, with an emphasis on financial sustainability, compliance, and broader educational and economic impacts. The resulting report, due February 15, 2027, should guide legislative and institutional decision-making.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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