Senate College Sports Bill Authors Seek House Negotiations Before August Recess

Authors of a bipartisan Senate college sports bill, led by Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, are seeking negotiations with the House to pass national NIL standards before the August recess. Despite advancing 19-9 out of committee and securing an endorsement from President Donald Trump, the bill faces opposition from the SEC and Big Ten conferences. The legislation establishes a national NIL standard, limits athlete transfers, and protects scholarships for non-revenue sports.

Senate Commerce Committee advancement

• ▪The bipartisan college sports bill advanced out of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee with a 19-9 vote in mid-June 2026
• ▪Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz expressed hope that Senate Majority Leader John Thune would bring the bill to the Senate floor in July 2026
• ▪Senate Commerce Committee ranking member Maria Cantwell proposed expanding discussions to a "five-corner" format to include House Republicans and Democrats

National NIL compensation standards

• ▪The Senate bill provides certain antitrust protections to the NCAA
• ▪The Senate bill establishes a national name, image, and likeness standard for college athletes that preempts state laws

Big Ten SEC opposition

• ▪Senator Eric Schmitt and Senator Ted Cruz plan to continue discussions with SEC and Big Ten officials to address their concerns
• ▪The Big Ten and Southeastern conferences oppose the Senate bill, stating their input was not adequately reflected in the latest version

Presidential Trump endorsement

• ▪President Donald Trump urged the House and Senate to pass a final bipartisan law that he can sign during the summer of 2026
• ▪President Donald Trump endorsed the Senate college sports bill, calling it the last chance to save college sports

Transfer portal eligibility rules

• ▪The Senate bill establishes a five-year eligibility timeline for college athletes
• ▪The Senate bill guarantees college athletes one transfer without losing their eligibility
• ▪The Senate bill prevents college football coaches from leaving mid-season to coach another program

Women's Olympic sports protections

• ▪The Senate bill requires major institutions to maintain at least as many scholarship opportunities and roster spots for non-revenue-generating sports as they did in the 2024-2025 academic year
• ▪The Senate bill includes specific protections for women's and Olympic sports