President Donald Trump is making college sports a major issue in Washington.
The White House called on Congress this week to pass the Protect College Sports Act, arguing that years of uncertainty surrounding NIL, the transfer portal, eligibility and revenue sharing have left college athletics without consistent national rules.
The push comes just days after Trump attended the Texas-Tennessee game at Neyland Stadium. According to the White House, Trump believes congressional action is needed to protect scholarships, roster spots, women’s and Olympic sports, and other parts of the traditional college athletics model.
And the legislation just took a massive step forward.
The Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act 77-22 on Monday. The bipartisan bill, negotiated by Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell, would establish federal rules for NIL, revenue sharing, transfers and eligibility. It would also guarantee certain scholarship and medical protections for athletes and cap agent fees at 5%.
Supporters argue a nationwide framework would bring stability to a system currently shaped by state laws, court rulings and individual conference or school policies. Critics, including some lawmakers, athlete advocates and labor groups, argue the legislation gives the NCAA and schools too much legal protection and doesn’t give athletes enough power over the rules governing their compensation and movement.
The bill still has another major hurdle: the House of Representatives. If the House ultimately approves the legislation, it would head to Trump’s desk, and the president has made his support clear.
College football has changed dramatically over the past several years.
Now Trump wants Congress involved in deciding what comes next.
