SEC, Big Ten Push Back on College Sports Bill as Senate Deadline Looms

As the SEC held its annual football season kickoff in Tampa this week, lawmakers in Washington remained locked in negotiations over the Protect College Sports Act, which aims to regulate NIL deals, player eligibility, transfers and conference realignment. Senators Ted Cruz of Texas and Maria Cantwell of Washington, who shepherded the bipartisan measure through the Senate Commerce Committee in June, are racing to secure backing from the SEC and Big Ten before Congress adjourns for its August recess.

The two conferences have resisted the bill in its current form, citing concerns that provisions regarding media rights pooling could limit their future revenue and expansion capabilities. As of Thursday evening, revised language had not yet been presented to either conference leadership for review, despite multiple meetings throughout the week among stakeholders.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune signaled Thursday that passage before the August recess appears unlikely, though negotiations continue at an accelerated pace. According to sources familiar with the talks, Cruz and Cantwell are pressing to advance the legislation to a floor vote, with staffers working through late hours to refine contentious provisions.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey warned during an interview Wednesday that delaying action until Congress reconvenes in September could sideline the measure indefinitely, as lawmakers tackle budget battles and other pressing legislative priorities. He stressed the importance of maintaining momentum, noting that once a bill is signed into law, Congress would be unlikely to revisit implementation details.

The SEC and Big Ten have repeatedly sought federal intervention to address college athletics turmoil, yet both organizations remain unconvinced the current proposal achieves that goal. Conference officials contend that media rights pooling should be optional rather than mandatory, a distinction Cantwell and Cruz claim the revised text already reflects.

The 100-page bill encompasses complex regulatory terrain spanning scholarships, eligibility standards and organizational structure—challenges compounded by potential restrictions on conference growth and revenue sharing. Legal challenges related to player compensation continue to mount, suggesting legislative gridlock could persist regardless of Senate action.