How the Restore College Sports Act Could Reshape Collegiate Swimming

The recent introduction of the Restore College Sports Act by U.S. Congressman Michael Baumgartner has drawn widespread attention across the collegiate athletics landscape. The proposed legislation would dissolve the NCAA and replace it with a new regulatory body, the American College Sports Association (ACSA), while introducing a series of reforms aimed at altering how college sports are governed and funded. Among its key proposals are a national NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) revenue-sharing model, regional conference realignment, and salary caps for coaches. Each of these provisions, if implemented, could have significant implications for collegiate swimming.

Equitable Distribution of NIL Revenues

One of the most notable aspects of the bill is its proposal to distribute NIL revenues equally among all athletes. This approach would mark a shift from the current model, which allows athletes to secure individual deals, often favoring those in revenue-generating sports.

For swimming programs, which traditionally generate less media exposure and revenue, this change could provide financial benefits to athletes who have historically had limited NIL opportunities. A more uniform compensation model might also contribute to greater retention and satisfaction among athletes in Olympic sports.

However, athletic departments may face financial challenges in adapting to this model. Institutions with limited budgets could be forced to reevaluate their overall athletic offerings, especially in the case of non-revenue sports. The House v. NCAA settlement has already led to program cuts, such as at Cal Poly, where the university cited financial strain as a factor in discontinuing its swimming and diving teams. Whether a national revenue-sharing mandate would prompt similar decisions at other institutions remains an open question.

Regional Realignment of Conferences

The bill’s call for realigning conferences based on time zones aims to reduce travel time and expenses, with a focus on enhancing regional competition. For college swimming, this may result in more localized dual meets and reduced travel fatigue for student-athletes, which could be beneficial for both academic and athletic performance.

At the same time, realignment could alter the current competitive landscape. Certain regions may have limited depth in collegiate swimming programs, and traditional rivalries or competitive matchups that span wider geographies could be lost. The feasibility of applying a uniform realignment strategy across all sports is also uncertain, given the varied distribution of programs nationwide.

Caps on Coaching Salaries

Another component of the bill is the introduction of salary caps for collegiate coaches. Supporters argue that this could help control spending in athletic departments and address disparities between sports.

In the context of swimming, salary caps may influence institutions' ability to attract and retain experienced coaches. Coaching stability and reputation often play a key role in recruiting and athlete development. It is unclear how such a policy would affect programs’ competitive standing or whether it would lead some coaches to seek opportunities outside the collegiate system.

Potential Broader Implications

As currently proposed, the Restore College Sports Act introduces a new governance structure alongside changes that could reshape the operating model for all college sports, including swimming. The cumulative effects — ranging from NIL policy changes to conference realignment and administrative spending controls — may lead institutions to reassess how they prioritize and structure their athletic offerings.

Swimming, as an Olympic and non-revenue sport, could be particularly affected by broader institutional decisions related to budget allocation and program viability. For athletes, coaches, and athletic departments, the evolving legislative and regulatory environment may require adaptation to a new collegiate sports framework that differs significantly from the existing NCAA model.

Conclusion

While the Restore College Sports Act is still in the early stages of consideration, its potential to reshape the structure of college athletics is significant. For collegiate swimming, the outcomes of this legislation — whether through improved NIL equity, altered competition models, or changes in staffing — remain to be seen. As the conversation continues, it will be important for stakeholders to monitor how these proposed reforms may influence both opportunities and challenges for swimming programs across the country.