Senate Signs Off on College Sports Overhaul

After years of hearings, several drafts of legislation and an intense lobbying effort, one chamber of Congress advanced a bill to overhaul college athletics. 

The Senate voted 77 to 22 in favor of the Protect College Sports Act. But the bill’s fate will depend on the House, which has struggled to pass similar legislation. Lawmakers in the House aren’t due back in Washington, D.C., until after the November elections, so it’s unclear when the bill will get a vote. President Trump has supported the legislation.

Among other changes, the legislation establishes federal guidelines on player eligibility, compensation, conference realignment, in-season coaching moves and student transfers. Under the act, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, conferences and colleges would receive some protection from antitrust laws, which they say is necessary to govern college athletics.

Lawmakers who sponsored the bipartisan bill say it would bring much-needed stability to college athletics, which have faced significant changes in the wake of court rulings and settlements. Some Democrats argued, though, that the legislation undermines the rights of student athletes. 

“This so-called Protect College Sports Act isn’t about protecting college athletes—it’s about protecting wealthy coaches, powerful institutions and an NCAA that’s held unbridled power for decades while athletes faced discrimination and injustice,” said Sen. Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat, on the Senate floor.

Still, Sen. Ted Cruz, the Texas Republican who sponsored the bill along with Washington Democrat Maria Cantwell, hailed the Senate vote as “monumental” in a statement.

“After years of discussions and months of intense deliberations, we achieved what many said was impossible and succeeded in getting the Protect College Sports Act through the Senate with a huge bipartisan vote,” Cruz said. “I am proud of our success, and I trust the House of Representatives will remain focused on bringing stability to college sports by delivering the Protect College Sports Act to President Trump’s desk without delay.”