Senate advances college sports bill aimed at regulating NIL deals
The Senate voted Monday on the bill, which would create a national framework for name, image and likeness deals in college athletics.
TL;DR
- The Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act, a bipartisan bill to regulate NIL deals for college athletes.
- The bill codifies athletes' rights to earn NIL money and grants the NCAA, conferences, and schools an antitrust exemption for rule enforcement.
- It also tightens transfer rules (one penalty-free transfer), caps eligibility at five years, and increases revenue-sharing for athletes, including a $5 million pool for women's and Olympic sports.
- The legislation is led by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.).
- Opposition exists from the Congressional Black Caucus and the NAACP, who argue the bill could harm Black athletes and give too much power to the NCAA.
- The bill's future in the House is uncertain, with some sources indicating it's unlikely to be taken up.
- President Donald Trump has endorsed the bill, calling its passage a "really big deal" that will "save college sports."