College sports bill doesn’t get vote, but does get spot on the Senate’s September calendar

The Protect College Sports Act, aimed at placing limits on the spending spree in college athletics as teams adapt to a new model where players can be paid, did not make it to a vote during the Senate's all-night, pre-recess session that concluded early Saturday. However, the bill did secure a place on the Senate's September calendar following the chamber's summer break.

Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, expressed optimism about the measure, stating, "College sports is something that needs to be fixed, they have a good solution." The bill, introduced in late May, initially struggled to garner support from the two leading college sports conferences: the Big Ten and SEC. Late last month, however, these conferences intervened and provided much-needed support, saving the bill from potential defeat.

Despite this revival, the bill faced significant skepticism from lawmakers representing states in the SEC, including Senators Tommy Tuberville and Josh Hawley. Additionally, the Congressional Black Caucus and the AFL-CIO also opposed the legislation, leading to the introduction of amendments that were not originally part of the bill.

With a crowded Senate agenda encompassing issues such as a short-term funding bill and the confirmation of Todd Blanche for Attorney General, the PCSA fell further down the committee's agenda.