S. 4668

Protect College Sports Act of 2026

Sponsor: Ted Cruz

9 cosponsors
Follow this bill

In plain English: what this bill does

The Protect College Sports Act of 2026 would set national rules for college athletes' name, image, and likeness (NIL) payments, athlete welfare, college sports broadcasting, and HBCU media infrastructure. It would bar schools and groups from blocking athletes from earning money from their own name or image, require athletes and schools to report certain payments and deals, and cap school revenue-sharing with athletes at a set amount, with a temporary retention fund above that cap. It would also add health, safety, academic and transfer protections, let athletes sue for certain violations, give antitrust protection to many college sports rules, allow a joint TV-rights sales entity for college sports, and create a $180 million yearly grant program for HBCU broadcast and broadband upgrades.

Who this affects

  • **Student athletes (current and prospective)**: may earn money from their name, image and likeness, must report deals over $600 to their school and athletic association, and gain new health, transfer, academic and grant-in-aid protections.
  • **Schools (mainly NCAA Division I)**: may pay athletes for name, image and likeness within the revenue share cap, must file yearly reports on athlete payments and program finances, must provide medical coverage and health and safety measures, and must keep women's and Olympic sports at 2024–2025 levels.
  • **Intercollegiate athletic associations and conferences**: must run an agent registry and a searchable fair-market-value database, set up an Office of the Student Athlete Ombudsman, reserve at least one-third of governing board seats for current or recent student athletes, and enforce the new rules.
  • **Athlete agents**: must register with a state, certify compliance with association rules, may not charge fees above 5 percent of an endorsement deal, and may be decertified for violations.

Words to know

  • **Revenue share cap**: the limit on how much a school may pay athletes directly, set by a court settlement and continued under this bill unless Congress acts.
  • **Retention fund**: an extra amount a school may pay above the cap to keep athletes who have finished at least one season there.
  • **Collective**: a group, such as a booster organization, that gives money to or for athletes or a school's athletic program.
  • **Antitrust laws**: federal and state laws against business practices that limit competition, such as agreements to fix prices.

For example

Made-up numbers: A school's revenue share cap is $10,000,000 for the year, and it wants to pay $2,000,000 above that to keep a player through the retention fund. The bill allows up to $22,500,000 above the cap, so the school may pay the extra $2,000,000 because $2,000,000 is less than $22,500,000.

  • Step one: Check the cap room: $10,000,000 + $2,000,000 = $12,000,000 in total.
  • Step two: Compare the extra amount to the limit: $2,000,000 is less than $22,500,000.
  • Step three: The payment is allowed under the retention fund for that year.

Written by AI from the bill's text below; it can be wrong. How it's written

Official summary

Written by the Congressional Research Service.

Protect College Sports Act of 2026

This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited antitrust exemption for schools and conferences to pool and sell certain college sports media rights. The requirements address elements of the court-approved agreement to settle In re College Athlete NIL Litigation (i.e., House settlement).

First, the bill statutorily prohibits institutions, conferences, or interstate intercollegiate athletic associations (e.g., the National Collegiate Athletic Association [NCAA]) from restricting student athletes from entering NIL agreements (subject to specified limitations). Students must report to their institution NIL compensation greater than $600.

The bill requires agents to register with a state and caps agent endorsement contract fees at 5%.

The bill also provides student athletes with one transfer without losing athletic eligibility and restricts football personnel from becoming the head football coach at a different institution during the same season.

Further, the bill prohibits institutions, conferences, or specified entities acting for the benefit of an institution from providing athletes with compensation that circumvents the limit on sharing revenue with student athletes established under the House settlement. The bill also makes the limit permanent and provides for an annual inflation adjustment.

The bill generally prohibits Division I conferences from reducing the number of varsity or Olympic sports teams that a member institution must sponsor. Specifically, large institutions ($80 million or more in annual athletics revenue) must offer and maintain at least as many grant-in-aid opportunities and roster spots for sports that do not generate positive net revenue as the institution provided during academic year 2024-25. The bill provides for a waiver of this requirement under certain circumstances of financial hardship and the requirements expire nine years after the enactment of the bill.

Additionally, the bill establishes (subject to specified conditions) a limited antitrust exemption for institutions or conferences that form joint agreements to transfer their sports telecasting rights to a third party. Such an agreement requires participation from at least 75% of the institutions in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Text of the bill

Expand all

I Protections of student athletes and fair competition

Sec. 100. Definitions Changed · Sep 28

Where this section came from

  1. Jun 2, 2026 · Introduced in Senate Referred to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Jun 2
  2. Jun 24, 2026 · Reported to Senate Marked up by Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Jun 18 Committee members' individual votes aren't in our records.
  3. Sep 28, 2026 · Engrossed in Senate S.Amdt. 6779: To improve the bill. Official page › S.Amdt. 6777: To improve the bill. Official page › S.Amdt. 6776: In the nature of a substitute. Official page › S.Amdt. 6831: To modify the prohibition on certain conference mergers and acquisitions. Official page › S.Amdt. 6830: To require the disclosure of foreign financing of intercollegiate athletics. Official page › S.Amdt. 6828: To modify the provision relating to the relationship of this Act to existing law. Official page › On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed — Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Agreed to, 74–24 · Roll Call 235On the Motion to Proceed — Motion to Proceed Agreed to, 77–22 · Roll Call 236On the Cloture Motion — Cloture Motion Agreed to, 70–21 · Roll Call 240On the Amendment — Amendment Agreed to, 77–23 · Roll Call 242On the Cloture Motion — Cloture Motion Agreed to, 74–25 · Roll Call 243On the Amendment — Amendment Agreed to, 96–1 · Roll Call 245On the Amendment — Amendment Rejected, 1–94 · Roll Call 246On the Amendment — Amendment Rejected, 42–54 · Roll Call 247On the Amendment — Amendment Rejected, 49–50 · Roll Call 248On the Amendment — Amendment Rejected, 47–52 · Roll Call 249On Passage of the Bill — Bill Passed, 77–22 · Roll Call 250
What changed in the text

… 4 unchanged passages …

(2) Associated entity. The term associated entity means any individual or entity, including a collective, that is — (A) is known, or was known, or should have been known , to exist the for athletics or department act staff for of the an benefit institution of to exist , in coordination significant with part , or for at the direction purpose of — an (i) institution promoting to promote or support supporting an a particular institution ’ ' s intercollegiate athletics program or student athletes , ; including or by (ii) creating or identifying name, image, and likeness compensation opportunities solely for an a particular institution ’ ' s student athletes; (B) an individual or entity that is or was a member, employee, director, officer, owner, or agent of an individual or entity described in subparagraph (A); (C) an individual or entity that directly or indirectly (including contributions by an affiliated entity, individual, or family member) has contributed more than $50,000 over their lifetime to a particular institution or to an individual or entity described in subparagraph (A); (D) an individual or entity that has — directly (i) or indirectly been directed or requested by an institution 's or athletic third department party staff acting on behalf of, for the benefit of, in coordination with, or at the direction of an institution to assist in the recruitment or retention of student athletes or prospective student athletes , ; or (ii) otherwise has assisted in the recruitment or retention of student athletes or prospective student athletes; or (E) an is individual or entity owned, controlled, or operated by, or otherwise affiliated with the individuals or entities described in subparagraph subparagraphs (A ). ) through (D), other than a publicly traded corporation.

… 64 unchanged passages …

(20) Student athlete. (A) In general. The term student athlete means an individual who is enrolled as a full-time student (as defined in section 668.2 of title 34, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act)) at an institution and who— ( A i ) makes satisfactory academic progress towards (as determined in accordance with section 668.34 of such title 34 (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act)) toward completing a degree; and ( B ii ) participates in intercollegiate athletic competition or competes for a varsity sports team as part of the institution’s educational, developmental, or extracurricular programs. (B) Rule of construction. Nothing in subparagraph (A)(i) shall be construed to preclude an institution, conference, or intercollegiate athletic association from establishing satisfactory academic progress standards that are more stringent than the requirements described in subparagraph (A)(i), if such standards are required of all student athletes, or in the case of an institution, of all full-time students.

… 3 unchanged passages …

What is a markup?

A markup is a committee meeting where members go through a bill and vote on changes before sending it to the full chamber.

In this title:

(1) Antitrust laws. The term antitrust laws has the meaning given that term in the 1st section of the Clayton Act (15 U.S.C. 12) and includes—

(A) section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45) to the extent that such section 5 applies to unfair methods of competition; and

(B) any similar State antitrust law, including a State law provision that applies to covering unfair methods of competition having the force and effect of law.

(2) Associated entity. The term associated entity means any individual or entity, including a collective, that—

(A) is known, or was known, or should have been known to the athletics department staff of an institution to exist, in significant part, for the purpose of—

(i) promoting or supporting a particular institution's intercollegiate athletics program or student athletes; or

(ii) creating or identifying name, image, and likeness opportunities solely for a particular institution's student athletes;

(B) is or was a member, employee, director, officer, owner, or agent of an individual or entity described in subparagraph (A);

(C) directly or indirectly (including contributions by an affiliated entity, individual, or family member) has contributed more than $50,000 over their lifetime to a particular institution or to an individual or entity described in subparagraph (A);

(D) has—

(i) been directed or requested by an institution's athletic department staff to assist in the recruitment or retention of student athletes or prospective student athletes; or

(ii) otherwise assisted in the recruitment or retention of student athletes or prospective student athletes; or

(E) is owned, controlled, or operated by, or otherwise affiliated with the individuals or entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (D), other than a publicly traded corporation.

(3) Athlete agent. The term athlete agent has the meaning given that term in section 2 of the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act (15 U.S.C. 7801).

(4) Collective. The term collective—

(A) means a person, corporation, booster organization, tax-exempt organization, or other entity that provides donations or other support directly or indirectly to or for the benefit or support of—

(i) a student athlete who is enrolled, or who may enroll, at an institution; or

(ii) the intercollegiate athletics program or any booster organization of an institution; and

(B) does not include—

(i) an immediate family member of a student athlete; or

(ii) an individual or entity that—

(I) licenses trademark rights of an institution; and

(II) does not—

(aa) license name, image, and likeness rights of student athletes; or

(bb) make payments earmarked or designated to fund name, image, or likeness licenses or other payments to student athletes.

(5) Compensation. The term compensation—

(A) means any payment, remuneration, or benefit provided to a student athlete or a prospective student athlete; and

(B) does not include—

(i) grants-in-aid;

(ii) Federal Pell Grants provided under section 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a) or any other Federal or State grants unrelated to and not awarded with regard to participation in intercollegiate sports;

(iii) health insurance and the costs of health care funded by an institution, intercollegiate athletic association, or conference;

(iv) disability and loss-of-value insurance, including disability and loss-of-value insurance funded by an institution, intercollegiate athletic association, or conference;

(v) career counseling, job placement services, or other guidance available to all students at an institution;

(vi) hourly wages and benefits for work performed outside of participating in intercollegiate sports at a rate commensurate with the prevailing rate in the relevant State or locality for similar work;

(vii) enhanced education benefits, including academic awards;

(viii) financial literacy or tax education resources; or

(ix) any program to connect student athletes with employers and facilitate employment opportunities, if—

(I) the financial terms of such employment opportunities are consistent with the terms offered to similarly situated employees who are not student athletes; and

(II) such program is not used to induce a student athlete to attend a particular institution.

(6) Conference. The term conference means any organization that is not an intercollegiate athletic association and that—

(A) has 2 or more institutions as members; and

(B) arranges championships for intercollegiate athletic competitions or sets rules for intercollegiate athletic competition.

(7) Cost of attendance. The term cost of attendance—

(A) has the meaning given that term in section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087ll); and

(B) shall be calculated by the financial aid office of an institution applying the same standards, policies, and procedures for all students.

(8) Grant-in-aid. The term grant-in-aid means—

(A) a scholarship, grant, stipend, or other form of financial assistance, including the provision of tuition, room, board, books, or funds for fees or personal expenses, that—

(i) is paid or provided by an institution to a student for the undergraduate or graduate education of the student; and

(ii) is in an amount that does not exceed the cost of attendance for such student at the institution; and

(B) does not include compensation paid to a student athlete.

(9) Image. With respect to a student athlete, the term image means a picture, video, computer-generated representation, or other depiction that identifies, is linked to, or is reasonably linked to the student athlete.

(10) Institution. Except as otherwise explicitly provided, the term institution has the meaning given the term institution of higher education under section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).

(11) Intercollegiate athletic association. The term intercollegiate athletic association—

(A) means any organization, not-for-profit corporation, association, or any other group organized in the United States that—

(i) sponsors or arranges intercollegiate athletic competition between institutions;

(ii) sets common rules, standards, procedures, or guidelines for the administration of intercollegiate athletic competition;

(iii) is composed of 2 or more institutions or conferences that are located in different States or participate in intercollegiate athletic competition in more than 1 State; and

(iv) is not a conference;

(B) includes—

(i) the National Collegiate Athletic Association; and

(ii) any other national intercollegiate athletic association; and

(C) does not include a corporation, association, or other group affiliated with professional athletic competition.

(12) Intercollegiate athletic competition. The term intercollegiate athletic competition means any intercollegiate sport contest, game, meet, match, tournament, regatta, or other intercollegiate sport event in which student athletes or varsity sports teams compete.

(13) Intercollegiate sport. The term intercollegiate sport—

(A) means a sport played between institutions for which eligibility requirements for participation by a student athlete are established by an intercollegiate athletic association; and

(B) does not include a recreational, intramural, or club sport.

(14) Likeness. With respect to a student athlete, the term likeness means a physical or digital depiction or representation that identifies, is linked to, or is reasonably linked to the student athlete, including —

(A) the uniquely identifiable body, physical characteristics, or voice of the student athlete;

(B) any other mark that identifies or distinguishes the student athlete; or

(C) the jersey number associated with the student athlete during the period of athletic participation by the student athlete at an institution if the jersey number is accompanied by—

(i) a logo or color scheme that is clearly associated with the institution; or

(ii) some other means by which the jersey number is associated with the student athlete.

(15) Name. With respect to a student athlete, the term name means the first or last name that identifies the student athlete, a nickname or assumed name of the student athlete, or a username associated with the student athlete on any public-facing internet platform when used in a context that identifies, is linked to, or is reasonably linked to the student athlete.

(16) Name, image, and likeness agreement. The term name, image, and likeness agreement means a contract or similar agreement between a student athlete (or group of student athletes) and a conference, institution, intercollegiate athletic association, associated entity, collective, or third party regarding the commercial use of the name, image, and likeness rights of the student athlete (or group of student athletes).

(17) Name, image, and likeness rights. The term name, image, and likeness rights means the ability of a student athlete to market and profit from the commercial use of his or her name, image, or likeness.

(18) Prospective student athlete. The term prospective student athlete means an individual who is recruited, actively being recruited, or has been contacted for the purposes of recruitment to attend an institution as a student athlete, but has not yet enrolled at the institution.

(19) Revenue share cap. The term revenue share cap means the Benefits Pool Limit set forth in the Injunctive Relief Settlement Agreement approved by the court in In Re College Athlete NIL Litigation, No. 20–cv–03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025), or as modified pursuant to the amendment provision specified in paragraph 55 of that settlement.

(20) Student athlete

(A) In general. The term student athlete means an individual who is enrolled as a full-time student (as defined in section 668.2 of title 34, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act)) at an institution and who—

(i) makes satisfactory academic progress (as determined in accordance with section 668.34 of such title 34 (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act)) toward completing a degree; and

(ii) participates in intercollegiate athletic competition or competes for a varsity sports team as part of the institution’s educational, developmental, or extracurricular programs.

(B) Rule of construction. Nothing in subparagraph (A)(i) shall be construed to preclude an institution, conference, or intercollegiate athletic association from establishing satisfactory academic progress standards that are more stringent than the requirements described in subparagraph (A)(i), if such standards are required of all student athletes, or in the case of an institution, of all full-time students.

(21) Third party. The term third party means an individual or entity that is not an institution, associated entity, collective, conference, or intercollegiate athletic association.

(22) Valid business purpose. The term valid business purpose means a purpose genuinely related to the promotion of goods or services provided to the general public for profit.

(23) Varsity sports team. The term varsity sports team means a sports team composed of student athletes that is organized by an institution for the purpose of intercollegiate athletic competition.

II Sports broadcasting

III HBCU Sports Media and Connectivity Program