Senate Advances College Sports Regulation Bill in 74-24 Vote

The Senate voted 74-24 on Tuesday to move forward with legislation that would broadly regulate college sports, marking a significant step for a bill backed by major conferences, Senate leadership, and President Donald Trump.

The legislation seeks to impose guardrails on escalating spending as the industry adapts to a model where schools can pay players directly. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said the bill aims to quell "the chaos we have in college sports," warning that without congressional action, the viability of many athletic programs, roster spots, scholarships, women's sports, and Olympic sports would be jeopardized. Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell, the top Democrat on the Commerce panel, called it "the last chance to save college sports."

Key provisions include allowing schools to enforce national rules for competing and recruiting, creating new guidelines around transfers and eligibility, and providing limited lawsuit immunity for the NCAA. The bill also redefines "third-party" name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals by doubling the salary cap from $21.3 million to nearly $49 million per school, aiming to shift money from third-party NIL arrangements under the cap to set more realistic spending limits.

Despite the procedural win, the bill faces opposition that could complicate final passage in the Senate's remaining three weeks before the November elections. Some Republicans want additional language on transgender girls and women in sports. Labor groups argue it does not do enough to protect athletes, and the NAACP opposes it, saying lawmakers should not reward universities and athletic conferences "while many remain silent as Black voting rights come under attack in the states where they operate."

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., said ahead of the vote that the bill gives too much power to the NCAA without sufficient accountability for athletes. "Look at their history, it is not about player protection," Booker said. "This is a money play, plain and simple."

Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., said just before the vote, "We're going to get one shot at this, and I don't know if we ever will again soon. We've got a moment." He added that the bill could "define the trajectory of college athletics."

Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the chamber, and Democrats are trying to flip the Senate in November's midterms, which could further complicate the legislative agenda.