Sens. Ted Cruz, Maria Cantwell announcing bipartisan bill aimed at stabilizing college sports

Cruz and Cantwell are set to unveil a bipartisan plan to stabilize college sports, signaling a federal effort to curb legal challenges and reform transfers, NIL and eligibility rules. The Protect College Sports Act would let the NCAA limit transfers and eligibility, impose a spending cap, and grant conferences the ability to pool television rights. The sponsors hope to win broad bipartisanship and reach the 60 votes needed to advance in the Senate, following the earlier SCORE Act, which was canceled due to insufficient support. The initiative reflects concerns about rising payrolls and roster instability across major conferences as rosters grow more mobile.

Key provisions include a targeted antitrust exemption to shield the NCAA and conferences from certain lawsuits in exchange for public protections for athletes, including health insurance, scholarships and tighter NIL oversight from third parties. The bill would limit players to one unrestricted transfer during their college careers and align with a five-year eligibility horizon being considered by the NCAA, to begin after the athlete turns 19 or graduates high school. It also seeks to address transfer portals and governance as the industry seeks more predictability.