Big Ten and SEC Back Protect College Sports Act After Negotiations
The Big Ten and SEC voted to support the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act, securing language to curb revenue-sharing loopholes and expanding protections for athletes, as the bill moves toward a Senate vote.
The presidents and chancellors of the Big Ten and SEC announced Friday that their conferences would back the Protect College Sports Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at tightening rules on athlete compensation and safeguarding non-revenue sports. The decision followed intensive negotiations that resolved a key provision intended to prevent schools from sidestepping the revenue-sharing cap by routing money through corporate sponsors and media partners.
Senators Eric Schmitt, Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, who co-authored the legislation, said the new language requires outside entities such as apparel firms and multimedia rights holders to attest that player deals are separate from institutional agreements and subject to review by the Collegiate Sports Commission. The amendment also raises the overall revenue-share cap to $48.8 million annually, reflecting a market-based figure discussed during the talks.
In addition to financial reforms, the bill protects women’s and Olympic sports by prohibiting reductions in varsity teams or competition levels for FBS schools, guarantees a single transfer without loss of eligibility, and restricts mid-season departures of football coaches and key staff. It creates a limited antitrust exemption for schools and conferences to pool media rights, provided 75 % of FBS institutions agree, and caps the size of the most powerful conferences at 19 members.
Senator Cantwell praised the development, noting it advances protections for women’s and Olympic athletes. The Big 12 and ACC, which had previously voiced support, reaffirmed their backing after the Big Ten and SEC joined the effort. Senate Majority Leader John Thune is expected to file a cloture motion early next week, with a floor vote potentially later in the week, though the timeline may shift due to the upcoming congressional recess.
"Good. Now progress can be made in protecting women and Olympic athletes and moving this legislation closer to the President's desk," Cantwell said.
"Once you get past Monday, it's over," Schmitt warned, emphasizing the urgency of finalizing the bill before the summer recess.
The legislation now awaits further congressional action as the college football season approaches.