Senate Expected to Vote on College Sports Overhaul

The Senate passed the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act 77-22, sending it to a House where its prospects are uncertain; House leaders have no current plan to bring lawmakers back from recess to consider it, and disagreements over athlete protections, foreign-player restrictions and potential unionization complicate passage. The bill would establish national rules for NIL deals, athlete compensation, transfers and eligibility, allow schools to distribute up to about $48.8 million annually through specified pools, and grant the NCAA limited antitrust protections to enforce some rules. It would generally allow one transfer without penalty, set a five-year eligibility limit, cap agent fees and address athlete medical costs, scholarships, conference size and realignment; it also includes measures intended to protect women’s and Olympic sports. Supporters say federal standards could reduce litigation and bring order and financial stability to college athletics, while critics argue the bill gives institutions and the NCAA too much power and insufficiently protects athletes and smaller universities. The bill still requires House approval and the president’s signature to become law, and conference leaders have developed a separate plan in case it fails.