The U.S. Senate voted 74-24 on Tuesday to advance the Protect College Sports Act, a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., marking a significant step toward establishing federal regulations for college athletics. The vote cleared the 60-vote threshold needed to end debate and proceed to final consideration, though the timeline for a final Senate vote remains unclear.
The legislation aims to address escalating financial pressures, legal disputes, and the rapid evolution of college sports rules following recent changes that allow athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) and transfer between schools more freely. Key provisions include setting a five-year eligibility standard, creating a uniform transfer portal framework, establishing federal NIL guidelines, and granting the NCAA an antitrust exemption to prevent future legal challenges over its rules. The bill also proposes a revenue-sharing cap for schools.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., described the current landscape of college sports as a "mess" requiring federal intervention. Cruz argued that the bill is necessary to prevent "chaos" in college athletics, stating that federal antitrust laws have destabilized traditional NCAA rules. Cantwell called it "the last chance to save college sports," emphasizing the need for national standards amid conflicting state laws.
Supporters of the bill include the NCAA, major college conferences, and prominent coaches such as Gonzaga’s Mark Few, who praised the legislation as the best available option despite acknowledging its imperfections. President Donald Trump has also publicly backed the measure.
Opposition to the bill spans multiple political and advocacy groups. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., criticized the legislation as a system that "protects exploitation," while Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., argued it grants too much power to the NCAA without sufficient accountability for athletes. The Congressional Black Caucus and NAACP have also voiced opposition, with the NAACP stating that lawmakers should not reward universities while remaining silent on voting rights issues in states where they operate.
Critics further contend that the bill does not adequately address concerns about transgender athletes, with some Republicans calling for additional language on the issue. Labor groups have also raised concerns about protections for athletes under the proposed framework.
The legislation now faces an uncertain path in the House of Representatives, where previous attempts to pass a similar bill have stalled. The Senate has limited time to act before the November midterm elections, adding urgency to the process. If enacted, the bill would represent the first federal overhaul of college sports regulations in decades, reshaping how schools, athletes, and the NCAA operate.