Senate Backs College Sports Overhaul as Athlete Advocates Warn It Could Take Rights Away

Senate Backs College Sports Overhaul as Athlete Advocates Warn It Could Take Rights Away
The Senate has approved a sweeping federal rewrite of college sports rules, presenting it as a rescue plan for a system destabilized by money and lawsuits. Critics, however, see the measure as an effort to contain athletes’ gains just as they are beginning to win meaningful rights in court.

The Protect College Sports Act passed 77-22 and would establish national rules for name, image and likeness compensation, transfer eligibility and health and safety. It would also permit schools to share about $21.6 million with athletes in the 2026-27 school year, create a retention fund worth another $22.5 million per institution, and protect one transfer without loss of eligibility. Supporters say uniform rules could curb what Republican Sen. Ted Cruz called “uncontrollable bidding wars” and prevent less lucrative sports from being cut.

The NCAA, major conferences and the White House support the bill, while Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell argues that recognizing revenue-sharing rights is a “historic first.” She also points to five years of eligibility, whistleblower protections and safeguards for women’s and Olympic sports as evidence that the legislation strengthens athletes’ position.

Opposition centers on who wrote the rules—and who benefits. Sen. Cory Booker said the bill “undermines their rights, undermines their collective bargaining, undermines their health and safety,” while arguing that athletes earned NIL protections through litigation rather than congressional generosity. The Congressional Black Caucus likewise said the measure failed to meaningfully include Black athletes, coaches, agents, HBCUs or the caucus itself.

The immediate political tension is practical as well as substantive. Although the bill now moves to the House, action may not come before the midterm elections, leaving the proposed framework—and the unresolved fight over athlete power—in limbo.