North Carolina HB 469: Restoring Rivalries Act.

Bill Text

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
H 1
HOUSE BILL 469

Short Title: Restoring Rivalries Act. (Public)
Sponsors: Representatives B. Jones, K. Hall, McNeely, and Schietzelt (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
Referred to: Higher Education, if favorable, State and Local Government, if favorable,
Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
March 24, 2025
*H469-v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO REQUIRE HIGH-ENROLLMENT CONSTITUENT INSTITUTIONS OF THE 2
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA TO REGULARLY COMPETE AGAINST ONE 3
ANOTHER IN FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, BASEBALL, AND SOFTBALL. 4
Whereas, college athletics have long played a fundamental role in the culture and 5
economy of North Carolina, fostering school spirit, community engagement, and regional pride; 6
and 7
Whereas, recent conference realignments driven primarily by financial incentives 8
have disrupted traditional rivalries, diminished regional competition, and eroded the historic 9
significance of intrastate athletic contests; and 10
Whereas, the General Assembly recognizes the critical importance of maintaining and 11
strengthening these historic rivalries, which provide economic benefits to local businesses, 12
increase fan engagement, and sustain the integrity of collegiate athletics within the State; and 13
Whereas, ensuring regular competition among North Carolina's major collegiate 14
athletic programs will not only generate substantial revenue and tourism impact, but also 15
reinforce the long-standing traditions that define the State's athletic legacy; Now, therefore, 16
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 17
SECTION 1. Part 3 of Article 1 of Chapter 116 of the General Statutes is amended 18
by adding a new section to read: 19
"§ 116-40.14. Intrastate athletic competition. 20
(a) Purpose. – The purpose of this section is to ensure that high-enrollment constituent 21
institutions of The University of North Carolina regularly compete against one another in eligible 22
sports. 23
(b) Definitions. – For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply: 24
(1) Eligible sport. – All of the following: 25
a. Football. 26
b. Men's basketball. 27
c. Women's basketball. 28
d. Baseball. 29
e. Softball. 30
(2) High-enrollment institution. – The following constituent institutions of The 31
University of North Carolina: 32
a. North Carolina State University at Raleigh. 33
b. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 34

General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 House Bill 469-First Edition
(3) High-game count sport. – All of the following eligible sports: 1
a. Baseball. 2
b. Softball. 3
(4) Home game. – A game held at a site selected by the hosting constituent 4
institution, including a neutral site. 5
(5) Low-game count sport. – All of the following eligible sports: 6
a. Football. 7
b. Men's basketball. 8
c. Women's basketball. 9
(c) Competition Required. – Every academic year for all eligible sports, a 10
high-enrollment institution shall do all of the following: 11
(1) For each low-game count sport, play at least one home game or one away 12
game against another high-enrollment institution. 13
(2) For each high-game count sport, play a series of at least three home games or 14
three away games against another high-enrollment institution." 15
SECTION 2. This act is effective when it becomes law and applies beginning with 16
the 2026-2027 academic year. 17