U.S. Senate passes bipartisan college sports reform bill

The U.S. Senate has passed the Protect College Sports Act in a bipartisan 77-22 vote. The legislation aims to regulate the college sports industry following a 2025 lawsuit settlement that allowed universities to pay athletes. The bill seeks to establish national regulations regarding name, image, and likeness (NIL) payments and transfer rules, while granting the NCAA new authority and limited antitrust protections to enforce these standards.

Proponents, including Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz and Senator Maria Cantwell, argue the law is necessary to end the “chaos” and constant litigation currently facing schools and athletes. Supporters also note the bill would provide new health and labor protections for hundreds of thousands of athletes.

Critics and some sports figures have raised concerns regarding the bill's specifics. While the legislation would establish guardrails and potential salary caps on athlete earnings, some question why spending on players would be restricted while coach and executive salaries remain market-driven. Arkansas men’s basketball coach John Calipari expressed support for the bill, stating the industry requires “some semblance of order, and some guardrails.”

The bill now moves to the House for consideration.