Protect College Sports Act Advances in Senate

Jonathan Rodriguez

Written by: Jonathan Rodriguez

Published: Fri Sep 18, 2026, 11:00 am ET

Read Time: 4 minutes

Protect College Sports Act Advances in Senate

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The Protect College Sports Act has cleared another major Senate hurdle as lawmakers move toward possible final passage next week.

The Senate voted 77-22 on September 17 to advance the bipartisan legislation, according to the Senate Commerce Committee. The vote followed a 74-24 procedural vote two days earlier.

The legislation seeks to establish nationwide rules for college athletics. It covers NIL compensation, transfers, scholarships, healthcare, media rights and NCAA oversight.

Consequently, the bill could reshape the framework surrounding major college sports competitions. That includes the environment surrounding markets for NCAAF odds and NCAAB odds.

However, the legislation does not directly regulate sports betting markets. Instead, its proposed changes could influence the college sports ecosystem that sportsbooks cover.

Senate Moves Protect College Sports Act Forward

Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell introduced the Protect College Sports Act as a bipartisan attempt to create federal college sports rules.

The latest 77-22 vote sets the stage for Senate debate and a possible final vote next week. The Commerce Committee also released updated bill text following negotiations among lawmakers.

The revised legislation would require the NCAA to oversee school compliance with certain provisions. It also contains changes concerning eligibility, revenue sharing and medical coverage.

Earlier, Cruz highlighted the number of athletes potentially affected by the legislation during his Senate floor remarks.

"Today is a chance for us to stand up and fight for the half million college athletes who are competing right now because, if the Senate doesn't act, hundreds of thousands of those students will see their roster slots go away and their scholarships go away," Cruz said.

He then called on lawmakers to protect athletes' rights and future opportunities.

"Let's fight for the students to protect their rights, to protect their future," Cruz added. "Let's come together and demonstrate that the Senate, Republicans and Democrats working together, can lead and protect an institution that is unique and valuable that is college sports in America."

Bill Would Establish Federal NIL and Transfer Rules

The legislation would establish a federal right for college athletes to earn money from their name, image and likeness.

It would also replace the current patchwork of state NIL laws with a national framework. Additionally, the bill establishes rules for transfers and certain athlete contracts.

The proposal also includes a revenue-sharing framework connected to the House settlement. Schools could distribute additional funds through a retention fund under the legislation.

For athletes, the bill also addresses scholarships, medical coverage and agent conduct. It would cap agent fees at 5% and establish requirements for athlete representation.

Those provisions could eventually affect roster construction across college football and basketball. Therefore, they may also influence the competitive landscape tracked by US online sportsbooks.

Cantwell Highlights Revenue Sharing and Athlete Protections

Cantwell has emphasized the legislation's athlete protections throughout the Senate process.

Before the initial procedural vote, she described the bill as a way to establish greater stability across college sports.

"This bill brings order to [college sports]. It helps women and Olympic sports, and it sets up a commission to look at the real future, which I think should include collective bargaining," Cantwell said.

"Let's bring some sanity. Recognize that athletes do deserve revenue sharing, and that this bill will put that into law for the first time."

The legislation also seeks to protect women's and Olympic sports. It would establish requirements designed to prevent schools from eliminating certain programs.

Meanwhile, the bill would provide scholarship protections for athletes after their eligibility ends. It would also require Division I schools to cover certain medical expenses.

Protect College Sports Act Could Affect College Sports Markets

The legislation's immediate focus remains college athletics rather than sports wagering.

Still, changes to transfers, eligibility and revenue distribution could affect the teams and players featured by US online sportsbooks. Those changes could eventually alter how operators assess NCAAF odds and NCAAB odds.

For example, major roster changes can affect team composition and player availability. However, the legislation itself does not establish new rules governing sportsbook operators or betting markets.

The Senate's latest vote instead moves the broader college sports framework closer to a potential federal standard.

The bill still requires additional Senate action before it could reach the House. If the Senate passes the legislation, the House would then consider the measure.

For now, the 77-22 vote represents the latest step in a bipartisan effort to establish federal rules for college athletics. The Senate could now move toward a final vote as lawmakers continue negotiating the bill's remaining provisions.

Jonathan Rodriguez
Jonathan Rodriguez

Jonathan is an avid basketball fan, and is often looking forward to the next upcoming NBA season when not checking players' stats during games. He also likes to keep his ears on the ground for the latest rumblings in the online casino industry.

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