NFL backs Protect College Sports Act while Big Ten and SEC withhold support

The NFL, the NFL Players Association and the National Basketball Players Association sent statements to Congress on Tuesday supporting the Protect College Sports Act. The NFL statement endorsed the bill's provision for voluntary pooling of media rights under the Sports Broadcasting Act.

The league said the measure would support college athletics and ensure fans can access games across today's changing media landscape.

"Healthy, stable, and thriving collegiate athletics is essential to the future of American sports, including Olympic sports, and this legislation is an important step to achieving that for the benefit of all college athletes and institutions alike," the NFL statement read.

The NFLPA and NBPA jointly stated that the bill includes provisions guaranteeing NIL rights and providing medical and healthcare benefits. They encouraged continued stakeholder engagement and negotiations to strengthen the bill.

The bipartisan legislation would grant the NCAA an antitrust exemption to enforce rules on transfers, athlete eligibility and coach poaching during the season. The Commerce Committee is scheduled to hold a markup on Thursday before a possible vote. Fifteen of the committee's 28 members must approve the bill for it to advance.

The panel has 15 Republicans and 13 Democrats. The Big 12 and the ACC have expressed support for the bill. Earlier this month the Big Ten and the SEC said they did not back the prior version because it left critical issues unresolved, including the preemption of state laws.

The NFL said it looks forward to continuing to work with congressional leaders as the bill moves through the legislative process.