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In what’s become an annual ritual, members of Congress are proposing new legislation that would alter the NIL marketplace, adjust how antitrust law governs the NCAA and grant or prohibit employment status to college athletes.

As before, the odds that Congress passes anything are slim—especially as state laws, labor law litigation, NLRB action and basic economics reconstitute the relationship between college athletes and their schools.

Conversations with members of the House and Senate and their staff in recent weeks indicate several bills will be introduced soon. The bills vary widely, with some seen as NCAA-friendly and others NCAA-hostile.

Under the leadership of new president Charlie Baker, the NCAA, as well as conferences and some schools, have aggressively lobbied Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill. Their wish list includes a declaration that college athletes cannot be classified as employees, a prohibition on revenue sharing with athletes, immunity for amateurism rules from antitrust scrutiny, preemption of state NIL laws, a legal obligation that NIL deals be disclosed to schools, a requirement that athletes use a standard NIL contract and assorted restrictions on collectives and agents.

As media have reported, one bill is linked to Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), who in January penned an op-ed for Sportico on his vision for NIL. The bill would contain preemption language sought by the NCAA and language prohibiting pay-for-play by...

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