Professional sports leagues back federal college sports bill in Congress 2026

The NFL, NFLPA, NBPA, and others endorsed the Protect College Sports Act, urging Congress to advance the bill through markup before a Senate vote.

Sports leagues support federal bill On Tuesday, the NFL, NFL Players Association (NFLPA), and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) formally notified Congress of their backing for the Protect College Sports Act. The groups praised key elements within the legislation while also calling for additional discussions during the legislative journey. The NFL specifically highlighted its endorsement of the voluntary pooling of media rights under the Sports Broadcasting Act, an approach opposed by the SEC and Big Ten conferences. ## Bill faces committee vote Thursday The bill’s progression hinges on a crucial vote by the Commerce Committee, scheduled for Thursday following a markup session. Before reaching the Senate floor for final consideration, the committee must first advance the legislation. During Thursday’s markup, members will have the chance to propose and vote on amendments prior to casting their final ballots. The NFL emphasized in its statement that robust, stable, and flourishing collegiate athletics is vital to American sports, including Olympic disciplines, and described the bill as a significant stride toward benefiting athletes and institutions alike. ## NFL outlines benefits for college athletics The NFL argued that leveraging established frameworks like the voluntary pooling of media rights under the Sports Broadcasting Act—previously used to support widespread and fan-friendly distribution of NFL games—would strengthen college sports. It stressed this model would help preserve access to favorite games amid evolving media landscapes. The league expressed willingness to collaborate with legislators as the proposal moves through the congressional process. ## Players unions highlight athlete protections The NFLPA and NBPA jointly asserted the bill includes key safeguards for college athletes, such as guaranteeing name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights and ensuring medical and healthcare benefits. They called for ongoing, substantive involvement from all stakeholders and negotiations to further reinforce protections as the bill navigates Congress. Both unions stressed the importance of ensuring athletes are both safeguarded and empowered throughout the legislative process. ## Bill requires 15 votes to advance For the Protect College Sports Act to move forward, a simple majority of Commerce Committee members must approve it, amounting to 15 out of 28 total votes. The committee composition includes 15 Republicans and 13 Democrats, meaning bipartisan support will be necessary regardless of party lines. Once cleared by the committee, the bill would proceed to a full Senate vote for final consideration. ## Conference support and opposition split The Big 12 and ACC conferences have voiced support for the bill, aligning with professional leagues and players’ groups. However, the Big Ten and SEC issued a joint statement earlier this month opposing the most recent version of the bill. The two conferences argued that critical issues remained unresolved, particularly the failure to meaningfully override state laws with a federal framework. Tony Petitti of the Big Ten and Greg Sankey of the SEC did not immediately respond to requests for comment on their stance. ## Key provisions of the Protect College Sports Act The bipartisan bill, authored by Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), would grant the NCAA an antitrust exemption to enforce several recently challenged rules. These include restrictions on athlete transfers and eligibility, as well as prohibitions against schools recruiting coaches during active seasons. Proponents argue these measures will bring stability to college athletics by clarifying rules and protecting institutional interests.