The Senate is moving forward on a sweeping bipartisan proposal that would cap payments to college athletes and overhaul how media rights are sold across the NCAA.
Dubbed the Protect College Sports Act, the bill would set a $48.8 million ceiling on revenue shares, grant the NCAA an antitrust exemption to enforce payment limits, and let schools market their broadcast and streaming rights as a single entity, a change that could level the financial playing field for smaller conferences.
Senate Sponsors and Bipartisan Momentum
Senators Ted Cruz, Maria Cantwell and Eric Schmitt have co‑authored the legislation, arguing that it balances the interests of athletes, schools and the broader college sports ecosystem. They predict a Senate vote this week, though the chamber must still iron out procedural details such as finalizing the text and securing the 60‑vote threshold needed to overcome a filibuster.
The proposal enjoys backing from the Big Ten and the SEC, two of the most powerful conferences, as well as a coalition of 27 athletic conferences and more than 360 member institutions. The NCAA, along with the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL, have also voiced support, underscoring the bill’s potential impact on professional sports as well.
Presidential Outlook
Former President Donald Trump has publicly expressed optimism that the measure will clear Congress and be signed into law before the 2026 football season. He has suggested that a signing ceremony could take place at a College GameDay event in the fall of 2026, a scenario that would blend political pageantry with the sport’s biggest stage.
Nevertheless, the bill faces a packed Senate agenda that includes a spending bill and a budget resolution, raising the specter of delays that could push final passage beyond the August recess. Even if it clears the Senate, the House must still approve the measure before it reaches the President’s desk.
If enacted, the Protect College Sports Act would mark a significant federal intervention in college athletics, reshaping how athletes are compensated and how media revenues are distributed, with far‑reaching implications for campuses nationwide.