With college football season underway, supporters of the Protect College Sports Act are intensifying efforts to pass the bipartisan legislation through the Senate before lawmakers break for recess in the coming weeks. The bill aims to establish regulations for spending in college sports amid the ongoing adaptation to a system where student-athletes can be compensated.
Co-sponsored by Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington, the bill was introduced in late May and has been a subject of discussion throughout the summer. Cruz indicated that a Senate vote could occur this week or next, expressing confidence in its potential passage with bipartisan support. "I believe we are going to get this done," Cruz stated at a news conference. "I have a very high level of confidence that the House will pass this bill, and one of the best ways to do that is get a big bipartisan vote coming off the Senate."
Major figures in college sports, including billionaire alumnus Cody Campbell and coaches Nick Saban and Deion Sanders, have publicly endorsed the act. Sanders, in a promotional ad, stated, "The Protect College Sports Act ends the NIL chaos in college athletics by protecting our student-athletes and teams and safeguarding women’s sports and Olympic programs." Basketball coaches John Calipari, Mark Few, and Kelvin Sampson have also voiced support, with Calipari noting it could resolve "about 75-80% of our issues."
Despite widespread endorsements, the bill faces substantial opposition, primarily from Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut. Murphy argues that the legislation primarily benefits coaches and sports executives by capping athlete compensation while allowing for unlimited spending on facilities and coaching salaries. "This bill protects the billions of dollars that coaches and sports industry executives are making over the suppression of compensation for some of the most highly valued athletes in the world," Murphy said on a call with reporters.
Murphy and NAACP CEO Derrick Johnson have criticized the bill for potentially exacerbating existing disparities, noting that many high-earning athletes are Black. The Congressional Black Caucus also opposes the bill. Johnson asserted, "Any college sports legislation must protect the whole ecosystem, including student-athletes, universities, conferences and historically Black colleges and universities by guaranteeing athletes have a real voice, fair economic rights, long-term health and educational security."
Murphy has pledged to work with senators who oppose the bill to seek alternative legislation that would institute reforms without solidifying the current system at the expense of athletes' well-being. He contends that the bill does not address broader spending issues within college athletics.
In a separate congressional effort concerning college athletics, Republican Reps. Tim Walberg of Michigan and Sen. Jon Husted of Ohio introduced a bill that would limit international athletes to no more than 20% of each varsity sports team, aiming to prioritize opportunities for American students.