Senators Unveil Bipartisan Plan to Stabilize College Sports

Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell introduced the Protect College Sports Act, a bipartisan bill aiming to stabilize college athletics by giving the NCAA new tools to regulate transfers and eligibility, cap spending, and curb mid-season coaching changes; it would let conferences pool media rights under an antitrust exemption, set a five-year eligibility window, and enforce NIL-related restrictions while preserving non-revenue scholarships and basic medical coverage. The measure also seeks to prevent a Big Ten/SEC “super league,” keep athlete bargaining options open in the future, and faces hurdles from the Big Ten/SEC, a polarized Congress, and a tight political calendar, though it has White House support and could move through hearings in the Commerce Committee."