Senators seek SEC and Big Ten support for Protect College Sports Act before August recess
Lawmakers are negotiating revisions to the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act, aiming to address NIL, transfers and conference realignment, while the SEC and Big Ten express concerns over media-rights provisions.
Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) are working to secure backing from the SEC and Big Ten for the Protect College Sports Act before Congress adjourns for its August recess. The bill, which passed the Senate Commerce Committee in June, proposes federal guidelines on name-image-likeness (NIL) compensation, athlete eligibility, transfer rules and limits on conference realignment.
Both conferences have raised objections to the current language, particularly a provision that would affect how media-rights revenues are pooled, which they say could reduce future television-deal earnings and restrict the addition of new member schools. The Senate leadership, including Majority Leader John Thune, indicated that the legislation is unlikely to reach the Senate floor before the recess.
"They're working on language through the night, and that's probably not how they'd be spending their Thursday night if there wasn't a chance," spokesperson Ansley Lacitis told reporters.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey told an interview that missing the August deadline could push the issue into the September session, when other budget and policy matters dominate the agenda. He noted that while the bill aims to close loopholes, further adjustments are still needed.
Cruz and Cantwell have said the media-rights clause would be voluntary, a point the conferences hope will lead to broader acceptance. However, as of Thursday evening, no revised draft had been shared with the SEC or Big Ten, leaving the outcome uncertain.