AFCA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CRAIG BOHL STATEMENT FROM HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE ROUNDTABLE

Today, AFCA Executive Director Craig Bohl addressed members of the House Judiciary Committee on issues regarding Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) at a roundtable held in Madison, Wisconsin. The roundtable served as a great opportunity for coaches to be part of the conversation as NIL legislation advances through Congress. The event included members of Congress, student-athletes and stakeholders from universities and conferences. 

The following is Coach Bohl’s opening statement as prepared for delivery:

“Chairman Jordan, Chairman Fitzgerald and members of the Committee,

Thank you for the opportunity to be here today. My name is Craig Bohl. I spent 43 years coaching college football, most recently at the University of Wyoming. I now serve as Executive Director of the American Football Coaches Association.  The AFCA, with over 11,000 members and stakeholders from the high school, college, and professional ranks, was formed in part to maintain the highest possible standards in football and the coaching profession. It is in that capacity that I speak to you today.

Coaches work closely with young athletes every day—on and off the field. We support fair compensation for college athletes, but the current NIL landscape is chaotic and unsustainable. We need common-sense reforms, and we need them urgently.

The AFCA respectfully offers three key recommendations for any NIL legislation:

1. Agent Regulation:Anyone representing college athletes should be required to register and meet national standards. There is currently nowhere for athletes, coaches, athletic directors or general managers to verify agent credentials.  Coaches are seeing a growing number of bad actors.  Right now, some unregulated agents are exploiting athletes, sometimes taking 20-30% commissions. A 3-5% cap, like the NFL, would be fair and appropriate.  A national registration system will establish a level playing field and reduce the frequency of tampering in NIL deals.
2. Standardized Contracts:There’s no consistency in NIL agreements, leading to confusion and disputes. Uniform, enforceable contracts will provide necessary clarity and protect both players and the organizations involved.
3. Oversight & Enforcement:We urge Congress to create a governing body with real enforcement authority to oversee NIL issues. Coaches request a formal role in that body and in any appeals process.

On behalf of football coaches nationwide, thank you for inviting me to participate today and for considering our recommendations.”

The AFCA will continue to advocate for its members to achieve a stable and vibrant college athletics environment.

About the AFCA

The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) was founded in 1922 and currently has more than 11,000 members around the world ranging from the high school level to the professional ranks. According to its constitution, the AFCA was formed, in part, to “maintain the highest possible standards in football and in the coaching profession” and to “provide a forum for the discussion and study of all matters pertaining to football.”