College Sports Regulation
Senate Advances Bipartisan Bill to Establish Federal Rules for College Sports
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Key Points
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The bill would require agents to register with a state before representing athletes and would cap agent fees at 5 percent. It would also guarantee scholarships for up to 10 years after an athlete’s eligibility ends so they can complete their degrees, and require Division I schools to provide medical coverage while athletes compete.
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The legislation responds to recent disputes that exposed gaps in the current system, including LSU coach Lane Kiffin’s consideration of adding players released by NFL teams and the NCAA’s ineligibility ruling against Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby over sports-gambling allegations despite his lucrative NIL agreement.
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Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the current college-sports landscape is “a mess” that needs to be addressed, while Cruz argued that repeated litigation under federal antitrust law had dismantled existing rules and left college athletics in “the Wild West.”
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The NCAA’s 2021 decision to allow college athletes to benefit financially is identified as the turning point that accelerated the current NIL-driven system and prompted lawmakers to seek uniform federal rules.
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The bill has also drawn opposition from some major conferences: the Fox report says lawmakers moved forward despite concerns from the SEC and Big Ten, while opponents such as Sen. Chris Murphy argued that the measure would reduce athletes’ bargaining power.
The Senate voted 74-24 on September 15 to advance the Protect College Sports Act, a sweeping federal bill that would reshape college athletics for over 500,000 athletes. Utah News Dispatch reported the procedural vote cleared the 60-vote threshold needed to move toward a final Senate vote, marking the first major legislative step to create uniform national rules after three years of chaos in the college sports system.
The bipartisan bill would cap athlete eligibility at five years, limit transfers to one per athlete, require agents to register with states and charge no more than 5 percent fees, and guarantee scholarships for up to 10 years after athletes leave. Mankato Free Press noted the measure also aims to address spiraling spending, endless lawsuits, and the uncontrolled transfer portal that has destabilized college sports since the NCAA allowed athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness in 2021.
Why the Senate Says College Sports Need Federal Rules
Senate Majority Leader John Thune called the current college sports landscape a "mess" that needs fixing. WTOP News reported that repeated federal court rulings under antitrust law have dismantled old NCAA rules, leaving what Sen. Ted Cruz called "the Wild West." Recent incidents exposed the chaos: LSU coach Lane Kiffin considered adding players cut by NFL teams, and Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby obtained a court order to play despite NCAA gambling violations.
Who Backs the Bill and Who Opposes It
Supporters include President Trump, major conferences, the NCAA, and prominent coaches like Nick Saban and Deion Sanders. They argue the bill brings order to a chaotic system and protects non-revenue sports like soccer and volleyball from disappearing. But critics — including the NAACP, Congressional Black Caucus, labor unions, and Sen. Cory Booker — say it gives the NCAA too much power. WTOP News noted the measure would reduce athletes' bargaining power while shielding conferences and schools from future lawsuits under a limited antitrust exemption.
What the Bill Actually Does to Athletes
The legislation guarantees medical coverage while athletes compete and provides scholarships for up to 10 years after eligibility ends so they can finish their degrees. Utah News Dispatch reported the bill establishes revenue-sharing caps: a baseline $22.5 million retention fund per school, with up to $5 million in matching funds for women's and Olympic sports, reaching a maximum of $27.5 million. Agents would face stricter rules, including state registration requirements and a 5 percent fee cap.
The Bill Still Faces a Long Road to Passage
The Senate procedural vote was just the first step. The bill still needs a final Senate approval vote and then must pass the House, where timing is uncertain and prior college sports bills have failed. Archynetys tracked significant media coverage with four distinct outlets reporting on the vote, signaling broad public interest in how federal rules might reshape college athletics over the next five years.
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