A bipartisan college sports bill that cleared the U.S. Senate could end up having a real effect on Boise State, especially if it makes it through the U.S. House.
The Protect College Sports Act would set federal rules for name, image and likeness payments, eligibility and transfers, replacing the patchwork of state-by-state and conference-by-conference regulations now in place. Supporters of the measure argue that the current setup has turned unstable, leaving schools to navigate different rules that influence recruiting, retention and how athletic departments pay for their programs.
For Boise State athletics director Jeremiah Dickey, one of the biggest pressure points is keeping players from leaving. He said tighter transfer rules would help the Broncos in that area.
"I think it’s positive for us that it’s a one-time transfer and puts it back on us to create the best possible experience. So, we can hold on to these kids," Dickey said.
The bill would also give athletes a restricted five years to play five seasons, something Dickey said fits with Boise State’s approach to player development.
"That’s where the fight is for me and my team. We don’t want it to be transactional. We want to positively impact them and prepare them for life and utilize the opportunities we have such as authentic NIA," Dickey said.
Dickey also pointed to the financial squeeze many schools face. Not every athletic department has the revenue to share with athletes, he said, and without some sort of cap, one sport could end up taking resources from another.
"Ultimately, what they’re trying to do is protect all sports. By capping it and creating guardrails, we’re not robbing Peter to pay Paul," Dickey said.
He said he supports athletes being paid, but wants limits in place. In his view, spending caps could help protect sports that don’t generate revenue.
Boise State currently sponsors 18 sports and has 363 student-athlete NIL contracts this year.
The bill is now stalled in the U.S. House of Representatives, though it does have President Trump’s support.
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The bigger picture is what makes this matchup so compelling, because Boise State is not being judged in isolation. The article frames the Broncos alongside other Pac-12 and Group of Six hopefuls, with multiple upcoming games set to reshape the pecking order and alter the spreads that reflect how oddsmakers view the field. For Boise State, the Fresno State game is not just another rivalry test - it is one of the few chances left to make a clean argument that its path should remain open. [Read more 🡒]