Senate Commerce Leaders Reach Bipartisan Deal on College Sports Legislation
U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell announced agreement on the Protect College Sports Act of 2026. The bill sets national rules for NIL, transfers, eligibility, and media rights.
U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell reached a bipartisan agreement on legislation titled the Protect College Sports Act of 2026. The bill establishes national standards for Name, Image, and Likeness compensation, recruiting, transfers, eligibility, and media rights.
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It also creates an official student-athlete ombudsman, sets medical coverage requirements, and imposes rules on athlete agents.
Under the legislation, student-athletes would receive five years of eligibility and be limited to one transfer. Professional players, both domestic and international, would be barred from college competition, and formation of a "super league" would be prohibited.
The measure includes a "Lane Kiffin Rule" preventing coaches from leaving programs mid-season. It also sets a hard salary cap, caps agent fees at five percent, and allows optional pooling of television rights.
Broadcast provisions require local access to games, preservation of rivalries, and use-it-or-lose-it rules for non-football and non-basketball media rights. The bill preempts conflicting state laws and maintains neutrality on employment status. Cruz stated, "College sports are at a breaking point. " A committee hearing on the bill is expected to be announced soon.
Key Facts
Potential Impact
- 01
Schools would operate under uniform national transfer and eligibility rules rather than varying state laws.
- 02
Television rights for non-revenue sports could face use-it-or-lose-it requirements.
- 03
A Senate committee hearing on the bill is expected to be scheduled.
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