The Senate voted 77-22 on Monday night to pass the Protect College Sports Act, a bipartisan bill that would set national rules for athlete name, image and likeness payments and transfers, The Associated Press reported.
Negotiated by Senate Commerce Chairman Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., the bill would codify the 2025 settlement that let colleges pay players, including a $21.5 million revenue-sharing cap, with up to $27.5 million more through a retention fund.
It would give the NCAA new authority and limited antitrust protections, allow one “free” transfer over five years, cap eligibility at five years and limit conferences to 20 programs.
“This is a matter of law, federal law, and only Congress can fix it,” Cruz said. President Trump called the bill “a really big deal.”
Critics say it does too little for athletes. “This is a bill that essentially ensconces a system of exploitation,” said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.
The NAACP and AFL-CIO oppose it, in part because it leaves unresolved whether athletes are employees.
The bill now goes to the House, which is in recess until after the November elections.
Some House Republicans want language stating athletes are not employees, which the Senate version lacks.
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