The U.S. Senate has passed the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act, advancing the most significant federal college athletics legislation in years. Senators approved the measure 77-22 on Monday, Sept. 28.
Supporters say the bill would bring stability to an industry reshaped by athlete compensation, transfers and competing state laws. Critics argue that it gives the NCAA too much authority while limiting athletes’ earning power.
Protect College Sports Act Sets National Rules
The legislation would establish nationwide standards for name, image and likeness compensation, commonly known as NIL. It would also regulate transfers, eligibility, recruiting and payments from schools.
The bill follows a 2025 legal settlement that allowed colleges to pay athletes directly. That agreement established a revenue-sharing limit of about $21.5 million per school.
Under the Senate bill, some schools could provide another $27.5 million through a player retention fund. That would increase the potential total to approximately $48.8 million annually.
The measure also gives the NCAA limited protection from antitrust lawsuits. Those protections would allow the organization to enforce standardized rules without facing constant legal challenges.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, negotiated the bill with Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. Cruz said only Congress could resolve the legal uncertainty surrounding college athletics.
The Senate’s official record confirmed the 77-22 final vote.
Transfer and Eligibility Rules Would Change
The Protect College Sports Act would limit athletes to one unrestricted transfer during five years of eligibility. Additional transfers could require players to sit out a season, although exceptions would remain available.
Athletes would also generally receive five years of eligibility. The provision responds to legal challenges that have allowed some players to extend their college careers.
The bill would limit athletic conferences to 20 members. Schools moving between major conferences would have to compete as independents for three years.
Another provision would restrict coaches from leaving programs during a season. Supporters say these rules could provide greater certainty for athletes and schools.
The measure also allows conferences and colleges to pool television rights. That option could help smaller programs generate additional revenue.
Athlete Protections Included in Senate Bill
The legislation guarantees certain health insurance, scholarship and medical protections for college athletes. It would also limit fees charged by agents representing players in NIL deals.
Schools would have to maintain minimum numbers of sports and roster positions. Backers say the requirement would protect women’s programs and Olympic sports from budget cuts.
An amendment approved before passage would make it easier for athletes to seek damages in serious sexual assault or abuse cases. Another provision would require greater disclosure of foreign funding.
The Senate rejected amendments that would have capped coaches’ salaries at $5 million and expanded compensation for athletes with catastrophic injuries.
Critics Question NCAA Authority
Several labor and civil rights organizations oppose the legislation. Critics include the AFL-CIO, NAACP and Congressional Black Caucus.
Opponents say the bill limits the share of revenue available to athletes without restricting coaches’ salaries, donations or conference spending. They also object to the NCAA’s limited antitrust protections.
The bill does not determine whether college athletes qualify as employees. That question remains central to debates over collective bargaining and labor protections.
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., called the proposal an inadequate response to the industry’s broader problems. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., also opposed the legislation and criticized its limits on athlete compensation.
House Vote Remains Uncertain
The Protect College Sports Act now moves to the House of Representatives. However, the House is not scheduled to return until after the November elections.
If both chambers do not approve identical legislation before the current Congress ends, lawmakers would have to restart the process next year.
For college athletes, families and fans in Texas, the Senate vote represents an important step rather than a final decision. The bill’s future now depends on whether House lawmakers can reach their own bipartisan agreement.
