The COACH Act would make colleges’ participation in federal student aid programs conditional on limiting compensation for athletics department employees. The annual cap would be 10 times the school’s published tuition and required fees for a first-time, full-time undergraduate. Buyouts and other separation payments count toward the cap, as do payments made through conferences, affiliates, or third parties. Schools would certify compliance each year and publicly disclose the cap amount and how many covered employees earn within 10 percent of it. Existing written contracts could continue through their original terms, but new contracts would have to follow the cap. The bill would also protect from antitrust liability actions taken to adopt or enforce these limits.
If enacted, the bill could affect compensation arrangements for coaches and other athletics employees at colleges that participate in federal student aid programs. It would also require those colleges to report and publicly disclose specified information. The bill does not describe a direct change to students’ aid eligibility or awards.
The bill does not specify a funding amount or estimate costs. No publicly available information.
The bill’s findings say compensation and buyouts for athletics staff can divert resources from academic priorities and broad participation, including women’s and Olympic sports. They also say uniform limits are warranted for schools receiving federal support.
No publicly available information.