Protect College Sports Act Passes Senate in Bipartisan 77-22 Vote

The Protect College Sports Act has cleared a major legislative hurdle after the U.S. Senate approved the sweeping college athletics reform bill by a bipartisan 77-22 vote on September 28, 2026. The legislation now moves to the House of Representatives, where lawmakers will determine whether the proposed federal framework advances further.

The bill, sponsored by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), seeks to establish nationwide rules covering name, image and likeness (NIL) compensation, athlete revenue sharing, transfers, eligibility, health and safety, scholarships and enforcement.

If ultimately enacted, the legislation would represent one of the most significant federal interventions in college athletics following years of court battles, state-level laws and rapid changes to the NCAA’s compensation and transfer system.

Senate Approves Sweeping College Sports Reform

The 77-22 vote came after several hours of debate and consideration of amendments. The legislation is designed to replace the current patchwork of state laws and NCAA policies with a national framework for college athletics.

The Senate bill would establish federal protections for athletes while also giving the NCAA and other college sports organizations limited legal protection when enforcing the new rules.

The legislation has been developed through bipartisan negotiations between Cantwell and Cruz, along with other senators and representatives from the college sports community.

The Senate’s official floor record confirms that the amended Protect College Sports Act, identified as S.4668, passed by a 77-22 vote.

NIL Rights and Athlete Revenue Sharing

One of the most important provisions of the Protect College Sports Act concerns NIL compensation.

The bill would establish in federal law an athlete’s right to earn money from their name, image and likeness. It would also formally recognize athletes’ right to receive a share of revenue generated by college athletics.

That revenue-sharing framework would cover money associated with areas such as media rights, ticket sales and sponsorships, according to supporters of the legislation.

The bill also seeks to impose greater transparency around NIL agreements. Deals would have to meet commercial standards rather than being used as disguised recruiting payments.

NIL agreements valued above $600 would have to be reported, while agents’ fees would be capped at 5% under the legislation.

New Rules for Transfers and Eligibility

The legislation would also introduce nationwide standards for athlete transfers and eligibility.

Under the proposed framework, Division I and Division II athletes would generally have a five-year period of eligibility and would be permitted one transfer without losing eligibility. Additional transfers could result in a loss of a season of eligibility, although the bill includes exceptions for specific circumstances.

The proposal also addresses coaching changes, conference movement and other issues that have contributed to instability across college athletics.

A late amendment increased the proposed maximum size of a Power Four conference from 19 to 20 schools. The bill also contains restrictions concerning schools moving between major conferences.

Health, Scholarships and Medical Protections

The Protect College Sports Act includes several provisions focused on student-athlete protections.

Schools would generally be prohibited from reducing or withdrawing scholarships because of factors such as poor athletic performance, injury or roster decisions.

The bill would also establish national health and safety standards addressing issues including concussions, heat-related illness and abuse.

Division I athletes would receive coverage for certain out-of-pocket medical expenses connected to their sports for five years after their final competition. Former athletes would also generally have up to 10 years to return to school and complete their degrees with scholarship assistance.

Supporters say the provisions are intended to create consistent protections for athletes regardless of the state in which their university is located.

Protection for Women’s and Olympic Sports

Another element of the bill focuses on maintaining sports programs that generate less revenue than major football and basketball programs.

The legislation includes requirements intended to preserve women’s and Olympic sports programs, particularly at schools with significant athletic revenues.

A retention fund included in the legislation would also allow additional spending when schools meet specified conditions involving NIL spending on women’s and Olympic sports. The revised Senate proposal established a $22.5 million retention fund, with additional spending potentially unlocked under the legislation.

The goal is to prevent financial changes in college athletics from disproportionately affecting sports that generate less commercial revenue.

NCAA Would Receive Limited Antitrust Protection

The legislation also addresses one of the biggest legal challenges facing the NCAA.

The NCAA, conferences and schools have faced repeated lawsuits over athlete compensation, transfers and eligibility rules. The proposed legislation would provide limited antitrust protection for organizations enforcing the federal framework.

Supporters argue that national rules could reduce years of litigation and provide greater certainty for athletes, universities and athletic conferences.

Opponents, however, have raised concerns about giving organizations additional legal protection while limiting athletes’ ability to challenge certain rules in court.

Critics Raise Athlete Rights Concerns

Despite its bipartisan Senate support, the bill has faced opposition from some lawmakers, labor organizations and athlete advocates.

Critics argue that the legislation does not classify college athletes as employees and therefore does not give them traditional collective-bargaining rights.

Some opponents also object to the proposed antitrust protections, saying they could restrict athletes’ ability to challenge compensation and transfer rules through litigation.

Senators including Cory Booker, Bernie Sanders and others have argued for stronger labor protections for college athletes. A proposal to establish broader protections related to coaches’ compensation and catastrophic athlete injuries was also rejected during the Senate proceedings.

These disagreements are likely to remain part of the debate as the legislation moves to the House.

What Happens Next?

The Protect College Sports Act now heads to the House of Representatives.

The next scheduled House legislative session begins on November 9, 2026, meaning the legislation may not receive House consideration until after the midterm elections unless lawmakers return earlier.

For the bill to become law, the House would have to approve it. Any differences between the House and Senate versions would also need to be resolved before the legislation could proceed to the president.

The Senate passage therefore represents an important legislative milestone, but it does not mean the proposed college sports reforms have become federal law.

Why the Senate Vote Matters for College Athletics

College sports have undergone significant changes since the Supreme Court and subsequent state laws expanded athletes’ ability to benefit financially from their NIL.

The 2025 House v. NCAA settlement also established a framework allowing schools to make direct payments to athletes, further changing the financial relationship between universities and players.

The Protect College Sports Act attempts to place these developments into a national legal structure while establishing rules for transfers, revenue sharing, NIL agreements and athlete protections.

Whether the House adopts the Senate’s approach will determine how much of this framework ultimately becomes federal law.

Key Highlights of the Protect College Sports Act

• Senate passed the bill 77-22.
• The vote was bipartisan.
• Senators Maria Cantwell and Ted Cruz are the principal sponsors.
• The bill establishes federal NIL protections.
• Athletes would receive a federally recognized share of certain athletic revenues.
• Agent fees would be capped at 5%.
• National transfer and eligibility standards would be established.
• Health and medical protections would be expanded.
• Scholarship protections would be strengthened.
• Women’s and Olympic sports would receive additional protections.
• The NCAA would receive limited antitrust protection for enforcing the new framework.
• The bill now moves to the House of Representatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Protect College Sports Act?

The Protect College Sports Act is proposed federal legislation designed to establish nationwide rules for college athletics, including NIL compensation, revenue sharing, transfers, eligibility and athlete health protections.

2. Did the Senate pass the Protect College Sports Act?

Yes. The Senate passed the legislation by a 77-22 vote on September 28, 2026.

3. Who sponsored the Protect College Sports Act?

The legislation was led by Senators Maria Cantwell and Ted Cruz, with additional bipartisan support from other senators.

4. What does the bill say about NIL?

The bill would establish a federal right for college athletes to earn compensation from their name, image and likeness and would introduce additional transparency requirements for NIL agreements.

5. Would college athletes receive revenue sharing?

Yes. The proposed legislation would recognize athletes’ right to receive a share of certain athletic revenues, including revenue connected to media rights, ticket sales and sponsorships.

6. How would the bill change transfers?

It would establish nationwide transfer rules, generally allowing athletes one transfer without losing eligibility while creating restrictions around subsequent transfers and certain exceptions.

7. Would the bill protect athlete scholarships?

Yes. The legislation includes protections intended to prevent scholarships from being reduced or revoked because of factors such as athletic performance or injury.

8. Does the bill address athlete health and safety?

Yes. It establishes federal standards involving issues such as concussions, heat illness and abuse and includes additional medical coverage provisions.

9. Has the Protect College Sports Act become law?

No. Senate passage is only one step in the legislative process. The bill must still pass the House and complete the remaining steps required for federal legislation.

10. When will the House consider the bill?

The House’s next scheduled legislative session begins November 9, 2026, although lawmakers could potentially return earlier.