The U.S. Senate has passed the Protect College Sports Act in a bipartisan 77-22 vote, moving legislation aimed at creating nationwide rules for college athletics.
Led by Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, the bill addresses major issues surrounding college sports, including Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals, athlete compensation, recruiting, eligibility and the transfer portal.
The legislation would establish a more uniform framework for college athletics and provide the NCAA with greater antitrust protections. It would also introduce restrictions around transfers and recruiting, set a five-year eligibility framework and create federal standards for NIL policies and revenue sharing.
The bill has supporters and opponents. Supporters argue that federal legislation could bring consistency to a system that has faced years of legal disputes. Critics, including Sen. Chris Murphy, say the measure could reduce athletes’ bargaining power.
The bill now heads to the House of Representatives, where further action will have to wait until lawmakers return from recess after the midterm elections.
