Protect College Sports Act of 2026
Introduced Jun 2, 2026 by Sen. Ted Cruz
The Senate passed it. The House has to pass it before it can reach the President.
This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited antitrust exemption for schools and conferences to pool and sell certain college sports media rights. The requirements address elements of the court-approved agreement to settle In re College Athlete NIL Litigation (i.e., House settlement).
First, the bill statutorily prohibits institutions, conferences, or interstate intercollegiate athletic associations (e.g., the National Collegiate Athletic Association [NCAA]) from restricting student athletes from entering NIL agreements (subject to specified limitations). Students must report to their institution NIL compensation greater than $600.
The bill requires agents to register with a state and caps agent endorsement contract fees at 5%.
The bill also provides student athletes with one transfer without losing athletic eligibility and restricts football personnel from becoming the head football coach at a different institution during the same season.
Read the full summary on Congress.govSummary by the Congressional Research Service.
- Oct 5, 2026Held at the desk.
- Oct 5, 2026Received in the House.
- Oct 5, 2026Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Sep 28, 2026Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 77 - 22. Record Vote Number: 250. (text: CR S5044-5063)
- Sep 28, 2026Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 77 - 22. Record Vote Number: 250. (text: CR S5044-5063)
- Sep 28, 2026Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S5021-5064)
- Sep 24, 2026The committee substitute tabled by Voice Vote.
- Sep 24, 2026Cloture on the measure, as amended, invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 74 - 25. Record Vote Number: 243.
- Sep 24, 2026Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S4959-4962)
- Sep 23, 2026Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S4885)
- Sep 22, 2026Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S4851)
- Sep 22, 2026Motion by Senator Thune to recommit to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 6781) fell when cloture was invoked on amendment SA 6776 in Senate.
- Sep 17, 2026Cloture motion on the measure presented in Senate. (CR S4789)
- Sep 17, 2026Motion by Senator Thune to recommit to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 6781) made in Senate. (CR S4789)
- Sep 17, 2026Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S4777-4790)
- Sep 17, 2026Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 77 - 22. Record Vote Number: 236. (CR S4773-4774)
- Sep 17, 2026Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S4773-4774)
- Sep 16, 2026Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S4743)
- Sep 15, 2026Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate.
- Sep 15, 2026Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 74 - 24. Record Vote Number: 235. (CR S4715-4716)
- Aug 5, 2026Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S4449)
- Aug 5, 2026Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S4449)
- Jun 24, 2026Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 449.
- Jun 24, 2026Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Jun 18, 2026Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- Jun 2, 2026Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Jun 2, 2026Introduced in Senate