Senate passes bill to set national college sports rules

The U.S. Senate has approved a bipartisan bill to establish national rules governing college sports. Sponsored by Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, the Protect College Sports Act passed with a 77-22 vote. The legislation aims to provide schools and athletic associations with enhanced legal protection to enforce restrictions on athlete compensation while expanding medical and scholarship protections.

Among the key provisions, the bill sets rules for athletes' income derived from their name, image, and likeness, safeguards their ability to retain agents and legal representation without losing eligibility, and ensures schools cover out-of-pocket costs for sports-related injuries for five years after their final competition. The legislation would also limit schools' and athletic associations' exposure to antitrust lawsuits when enforcing specified rules and permit a voluntary arrangement to pool and sell broadcast rights.

Proponents of the bill argue that it is necessary to restore order to a college sports system disrupted by legal disputes and name, image, and likeness deals. Senator Ted Cruz emphasized the potential harm to student athletes and the importance of passing the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act. President Donald Trump hailed the bill as a significant milestone, stating that it would save college sports and the institutions themselves.

However, the bill has faced opposition from various groups. The AFL-CIO labor federation criticized the legislation for reducing the power of athletes who have recently gained more rights. The NAACP opposed the bill, asserting that it would protect schools and conferences from legal liability while they profit from Black athletes and remain silent as racial rights are threatened in their states.

Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, expressed concerns that the bill fails to limit the amount of money in college sports and instead restricts athletes' right to earn their compensation.