S. 4668

119th Congress

Introduced

Protect College Sports Act of 2026

Sponsored byRepublican:Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]TX· Introduced 2 June 2026
Open on Congress.gov

9

Cosponsors

17

Actions

36

Amendments

1

Committees

—

Since introduced

Step 0 of 0
Latest action

Cloture motion on the measure presented in Senate.

17 September 2026·4 days ago

Summary

Introduced in Senate · Updated 23 June 2026

Protect College Sports Act of 2026

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.

Further, the bill prohibits institutions, conferences, or specified entities acting for the benefit of an institution from providing athletes with compensation that circumvents the limit on sharing revenue with student athletes established under the House settlement. The bill also makes the limit permanent and provides for an annual inflation adjustment.

Additionally, the bill establishes (subject to specified conditions) a limited antitrust exemption for institutions or conferences that form joint agreements to transfer their sports telecasting rights to a third party. Such an agreement requires participation from at least 75% of the institutions in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Timeline

17 actions

  1. Motion 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.

    17 September 2026 · Floor

  2. Measure laid before Senate by motion.

    17 September 2026 · Floor

  3. Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate.

    17 September 2026 · Floor

  4. Cloture motion on amendment SA 6776 presented in Senate.

    17 September 2026 · Floor

  5. Cloture motion on the measure presented in Senate.

    17 September 2026 · Floor

  6. Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 77 - 22. Record Vote Number: 236.

    17 September 2026 · Floor

  7. Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate.

    16 September 2026 · Floor

  8. Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate.

    16 September 2026 · Floor

  9. Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate.

    15 September 2026 · Floor

  10. Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 74 - 24. Record Vote Number: 235. (CR S4715-4716)

    15 September 2026 · Floor

  11. Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 74 - 24. Record Vote Number: 235.

    15 September 2026 · Floor

  12. Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 74 - 24. Record Vote Number: 235. (CR S4715-4716)

    15 September 2026 · Floor

  13. Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S4449)

    5 August 2026 · Floor

  14. Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S4449)

    5 August 2026 · Floor

  15. Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S4449)

    5 August 2026 · Floor

  16. Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S4449)

    5 August 2026 · Floor

  17. Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S4449)

    5 August 2026 · Floor

  18. Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S4449)

    5 August 2026 · Floor

  19. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    24 June 2026 · Committee

  20. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    24 June 2026 · Committee

Sponsorship

9 cosponsors

Sponsor

Republican:Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]TX

Cosponsors

  • Democrat556%
  • Republican444%

Classification

Policy area

Sports and Recreation

Legislative subjects

AthletesContracts and agencyDigital mediaHigher educationInflation and pricesIntellectual propertyLicensing and registrationsSchool athleticsState and local government operationsTelevision and filmUser charges and feesWages and earnings

Committees

1

  • Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

    Senate · Standing

    • Referred To2 Jun 2026
    • Markup By18 Jun 2026

Cosponsor momentum

Cumulative over time

Cosponsors grew from 3 on 2 June 2026 to 9 on 14 September 2026.

Amendments

36

  • SAMDT 6768Proposed

    8 August 2026

  • SAMDT 6763Proposed

    8 August 2026

  • SAMDT 6757Proposed

    8 August 2026

  • SAMDT 6756Proposed

    8 August 2026

  • SAMDT 6762Proposed

    8 August 2026

  • SAMDT 6760Proposed

    8 August 2026

  • SAMDT 6758Proposed

    8 August 2026

  • SAMDT 6759Proposed

    8 August 2026

  • SAMDT 6761Proposed

    8 August 2026

  • SAMDT 6744Proposed

    8 August 2026

  • SAMDT 6753Proposed

    7 August 2026

  • SAMDT 6752Proposed

    7 August 2026

  • SAMDT 6754Proposed

    7 August 2026

  • SAMDT 6755Proposed

    7 August 2026

22 more amendmentsView all on Congress.gov
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