The U.S. Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act on Monday, September 28, 2026, in a 77-22 bipartisan vote. The legislation seeks to establish a federal framework for collegiate athletics by granting the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) limited antitrust protection and setting national standards for student-athlete compensation and eligibility. The bill, sponsored by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), now moves to the House of Representatives, where it is expected to be considered after the November midterm elections.
The measure arrives after years of litigation that challenged long-standing NCAA rules regarding amateurism, player transfers, and the ability of athletes to earn money from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). Proponents, including the NCAA and major conferences like the SEC and Big Ten, argued that federal intervention was necessary to stabilize a "fragmented system" and prevent "uncontrollable bidding wars" for athletes. Critics, including several labor groups and the Congressional Black Caucus, argued the bill preserves an exploitative model and undermines the legal rights of athletes to challenge NCAA business practices in court.
Mechanically, the bill grants the NCAA federal antitrust protection to shield it from lawsuits related to rule enforcement. It caps agent fees at 5% and limits school spending on athletes to $50 million annually. The legislation adopts a revenue-sharing framework that allows universities to share approximately $21.6 million with athletes for the 2026-2027 school year, plus a $22.5 million athlete retention fund per institution. It also guarantees scholarships for 10 years after eligibility, allows one transfer without a sit-out period, and sets a 20-school cap on conference membership to discourage the formation of "super leagues."
Students will notice specific changes to their legal and educational rights, including a 10-year scholarship guarantee that extends well beyond their playing years and the right to transfer schools once without losing a year of eligibility. However, the bill also imposes new restrictions; for instance, any school moving between "power" conferences must compete as an independent for three academic years, a move designed to slow conference realignment. While the bill mandates the preservation of roster spots for women's and Olympic sports, these protections expire after nine years for large institutions and four years for midsize schools, unless the schools demonstrate financial hardship.
The legislation sets a significant legal precedent by granting the NCAA a limited antitrust exemption, which effectively shifts the venue for disputes from the courtroom to federal regulatory oversight. This move is intended to end the constant litigation that has recently reshaped eligibility and pay, but critics argue it removes the primary tool athletes have used to gain financial leverage. The bill's next step is the House of Representatives, which is currently on recess; the chamber is expected to take up the measure when lawmakers return to Washington, D.C., following the November midterm elections. President Trump, who has endorsed the bill, previously suggested he would sign it if it reaches his desk.