University of Kentucky athletics director Mitch Barnhart is urging fans to rally behind federal legislation that he says is critical to the stability of college sports.
In a letter released this week, Barnhart stressed the need for national standards as NIL and revenue sharing reshape the landscape. He pointed to the bipartisan Student Compensation and Opportunity Through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act, recently introduced in Congress, as a solution. The bill could come to a vote in the U.S.
House as early as September.
The SCORE Act would create a uniform framework for revenue sharing while preserving NIL rights, guarantee scholarships and medical coverage, expand mental health and career support, and provide degree completion opportunities for former athletes. It would also classify athletes as students, not employees, to safeguard Olympic and women’s sports.
With Barnhart now speaking out, the legislation is especially important for Kentucky following its new long-term partnership with JMI. The deal, which will eventually move NIL operations in-house through the BBNIL Suite, is designed to help athletes secure third-party deals while protecting the school’s brand. Under the model, athletes using Kentucky’s logos, facilities, or intellectual property would work directly with JMI. For now, implementation has been delayed, but Barnhart said powerful voices across college athletics are pushing for uniformity.
“Now is the time for action,” Barnhart wrote. “You can play a critical role in protecting the future of college sports. Please tell Congress: Pass the SCORE Act now.”
