Senate Passes 77-22 College Sports Bill, Setting National NIL Rules
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 29
Senate Passes 77-22 College Sports Bill, Setting National NIL Rules
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 29
Summary
A 77-22 Senate vote sent the Protect College Sports Act to the House, advancing a national framework for NIL deals, athlete pay, recruiting, eligibility and transfers.
Ted Cruz and other backers said the bill is needed because antitrust rulings and the NCAA's 2021 NIL shift left college sports in a "Wild West" with inconsistent rules.
The measure would give the NCAA broader antitrust protection, impose transfer-portal restrictions, set a five-year eligibility standard and create recruiting and tampering guardrails, plus a revenue-sharing cap.
Chris Murphy opposed the bill as weakening athletes' bargaining power, while Josh Hawley said he backed it after language on state laws barring transgender women from women's sports was revised.
House action may be delayed because lawmakers are in recess until after the midterm elections, even as Donald Trump says he wants the bill on his desk for signature.