The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit entity that administers intercollegiate athletic programs for 1,280 colleges. Until recent reforms, most scholarship athletes lived in poverty conditions while attending college. Often, the demands of college sports left little time for part-time jobs or for majoring in challenging curricula. In order to maintain academic eligibility, some universities funnel its athletes into worthless, fraudulent classes without significant attendance, studying, or grading requirements. Many universities do not provide health insurance to scholarship athletes, and revoke the scholarships of those who get injured or who do not perform as well as expected. The NCAA has been criticized for its lack of due-process protections when taking disciplinary actions against athletes and schools. Critics argue that the NCAA operates with unchecked authority, conducting investigations without clear, consistent, and transparent procedures. The NCAA has been accused of punishing universities inconsistently and unpredictably for rule violations. It has faced criticism for letting investigations drag on for extended periods, creating uncertainty for athletes and institutions. The use of information from confidential sources in NCAA enforcement decisions has also been a point of contention.

Pending legislation: H.R.3976 - NCAA Accountability Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. David Kustoff (TN)
Status: House Committee on Education and Workforce
Chair: Rep. Tim Walberg (MI)