Senate takes first step to overhaul college sports system

The bill is a priority for Trump, who said he would sign it "immediately."

September 15, 2026, 8:15 PM

The Senate on Tuesday took the first step to advance legislation to drastically overhaul college sports system as we know it, passing a procedural vote for a full Senate vote by a 74-24 margin.

The bipartisan Protect College Sports Act would establish a federal framework for athlete compensation -- specifically name, image and likeness (NIL) deals, transfers and eligibility in lieu of different state rules currently regulating college athletics. 

The bill would also provide new protections for student-athletes, including caps on agent endorsement fees as well as scholarship and health benefits for athletes. At the same time, it would also give the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) greater authority to enforce national rules governing college sports. The reforms come as the business of college athletics has faced increasing court challenges and scrutiny over the various governing rules that have complicated the athlete-school relationship.

The legislation is a priority for the Trump administration. President Donald Trump said last month that he would sign it "immediately."

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, who spearheaded the legislation, said before the vote,“The fundamental question before the Senate today, do we want college sports to have clear, national, enforceable rules, or do we want another decade of lawsuits, conflicting state laws, bidding wars, roster chaos, and uncertainty? The status quo is not working, and the people who will ultimately pay the price if Congress fails to act.”

Supporters of the bill say it will add stability to the world of college sports, while opponents argue the legislation gives schools and the NCAA more control without adequate protections for athletes. 

For example, in terms of athlete compensation, the bill would give schools the ability to directly compensate athletes through revenue sharing while also granting the NCAA immunity from federal antitrust lawsuits when enforcing its rules.

While the legislation could allow some athletes to receive a greater share of the revenue generated by their sports, critics say the bill could also reduce athletes’ bargaining power and earning potential by imposing earning caps and additional regulatory restrictions. 

“They claim that schools and conferences and NCAA and coaches support the Protect College Sports Act. Of course they support it. They're getting all the financial gain and putting all of the burden and compromises and givebacks to college athletes, including your ability to win in court,” Democratic Sen. Cory Booker said on the Senate floor ahead of the vote.

“I could go on and on about those people who object to this bill because it is not protecting athletes. And think about this: it is doing all kind of things to stop players from earning money, putting bureaucracy between them and the possibilities,” he added.

It’s unlikely the House will take up the bill before it leaves for its midterm recess on Thursday.