Washington – In a decisive bipartisan vote, the U.S. Senate on Monday passed the Protect College Sports Act with a 77‑22 margin. The legislation, now headed to the House, would set nationwide standards for how college athletes can profit from their name, image and likeness (NIL). President Donald Trump immediately endorsed the bill, calling it “a really big deal” that will “save college sports and the colleges themselves.”
Key Provisions
The bill grants the NCAA authority to regulate NIL compensation, limits athletes to a one‑time transfer, and establishes a five‑year eligibility window. It also allows conferences to negotiate television contracts as a group while capping conference size at 19 teams, preserving the traditional structure of leagues such as the Big Ten.
Support from Leadership
Sen. Ted Cruz (R‑TX), chair of the Senate Commerce Committee and lead sponsor, warned that the current “wild west” of college‑sports contracts creates chaos that threatens the integrity of collegiate athletics. “The Protect College Sports Act is bipartisan legislation designed to bring order to the chaos and put simple, common‑sense rules in place so college sports remain strong and vibrant for decades to come,” Cruz said at a press conference.
Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell, the bill’s lead co‑sponsor, argued the measure will redirect university spending toward education and research rather than the escalating costs of maintaining elite sports programs. “We need to rein in the runaway arms race in sports spending that forces states to ask taxpayers for bailouts,” Cantwell said.
Opposition and Criticism
The Congressional Black Caucus, the National College Players Association, the NAACP and the AFL‑CIO have voiced opposition, contending the bill favors universities and the NCAA over student‑athletes’ rights. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy called the legislation a “system of exploitation” that protects billions of dollars earned by coaches and executives while suppressing compensation for athletes.
Senator Cory Booker also criticized the bill, describing it as catering to “large, wealthy interests that have been controlling college sports for a long time.” The National College Players Association warned the bill could limit athletes’ ability to sue schools in cases of sexual abuse or catastrophic injury.
Administration Backing
The White House released a statement echoing President Trump’s support, noting the President “believes wholeheartedly that college sports are worth fighting for — for the athletes, the schools, the fans, and America.” Trump’s post on Truth Social praised the Senate’s action as a safeguard for both athletics and the academic mission of colleges.
Next Steps
The measure now moves to the House of Representatives, which is in recess until after the November midterms. It remains uncertain whether House leaders will advance the bill when they return.
Regardless of the outcome, the Protect College Sports Act represents a significant federal effort to bring order and fairness to the rapidly evolving world of collegiate athletics, aligning with the administration’s broader goal of protecting traditional institutions and promoting individual liberty for student‑athletes.
Original reporting: Allentown News – 6abc Philadelphia — read the source article.
