Bipartisan Bill Seeks To Restore Order To College Sports

Two senators reached a bipartisan agreement Wednesday morning on legislation aimed at preventing college athletics from turning into a professional sports model.

Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) finalized the proposed “Protect College Sports Act.” The bill would give the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) greater authority to regulate player movement, eligibility, and compensation as programs continue adapting to the name, image, and likeness (NIL) era.

The bill contains major reforms, including limits on multiple transfer portal entries, a five-year eligibility cap, restrictions on athletes returning to college after turning professional, rules prohibiting schools from hiring another program’s coach during an active season, and a salary cap. 

“College sports are at a breaking point,” Cruz said in his press release. “Fans can see their favorite teams being hollowed out by transfer chaos, fake NIL bidding wars, eligibility lawsuits, and a system that allows the richest programs to keep pulling away.”

“Student athletes can profit their name, image, and likeness,” he added, “but college sports still need real rules, competitive balances, rivalries, and a true connection to education.”

The legislation comes amid growing frustration across college sports following the Supreme Court’s 2021 decision that accelerated the expansion of NIL compensation. Since then, schools and boosters have poured millions into recruiting and retaining athletes, while transfer portal activity has surged. 

Lawmakers back the bill argue the current system has created an unstable invironment similar to professional free agency.

“College sports bring people from every corner of our country together, but because of unlimited transfers, out-of-control eligibility and rising costs, college sports are on the brink of collapse,” Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO), a member of the committee creating the bill, stated in a press release.

Under the proposed bill, athletes would lose remaining NCAA eligibility once they sign professional contracts. It would also impose penalties on athletes who enter the transfer portal multiple times, discouraging constant movement between programs.

Another provision, referred to as the “Lane Kiffin Rule,” would prohibit schools from hiring another program’s coach before that team’s season is complete. 

The bill now heads to Congress. Supporters argue it would restore stability to collegiate sports, though it remains to be seen whether lawmakers want to regulate NIL, athlete movement, and compensation at the federal level.