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Edgefield Today
By the People, for the People
South Carolina Bill to Keep College Athlete NIL Deals Private Stalls
Lawmakers pause progress on bill over concerns about public funding
Published on Feb. 20, 2026
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A bill in the South Carolina legislature that would have kept the details of college athlete revenue-sharing contracts private has stalled. Lawmakers decided to pause progress on the bill after some expressed concerns that it could also hide information about public funding used to cover student athlete contracts.
Why it matters
The bill was seen as critical to helping South Carolina colleges and universities remain competitive in recruiting top student athletes. However, some lawmakers were worried that shielding these contract details from public view could also conceal the use of public funds.
The details
The bill, House Bill 4902, would have amended state law to allow higher learning institutions to avoid publicly disclosing details of student athlete revenue-sharing contracts, even if the school was listed as a party to the contract. Currently, revenue-sharing contracts that involve the school are considered public information. Supporters argued the measure was needed to keep South Carolina schools competitive, but during the second reading in the Senate, some lawmakers expressed concerns about the potential impact on transparency around public funding.
- The bill cleared the House and passed two readings in the Senate, needing just one more to pass both chambers.
- On January 18, lawmakers decided to pause progress on the bill and keep it in the Senate with no scheduled vote until schools can provide more information on whether public funding has been used to cover student athlete contracts.
- The Senate Education Committee will review the bill again on February 25 at 10 a.m.
The players
House Bill 4902
A bill that would have amended state law to allow higher learning institutions to avoid publicly disclosing details of student athlete revenue-sharing contracts.
Sen. Shane Massey
A Republican senator from Edgefield who led the effort to pause the bill until lawmakers received more clarity on the involvement of public funds in student contracts.
Sen. Tom Corbin
A Republican senator from Greenville who questioned whether the bill would be sent back to committee altogether.
What they’re saying
“I think it's incumbent on the universities to answer these questions.”
— Sen. Shane Massey (greenvilleonline.com)
What’s next
The Senate Education Committee will review the bill again on February 25 at 10 a.m. in the Gressette Building.
The takeaway
This case highlights the tension between efforts to keep college athlete compensation details private and the public's right to know how taxpayer funds may be used. Lawmakers will need to balance competitiveness in recruiting with transparency around the use of public resources.
