Protect College Sports Act: Bipartisan Bill Targets NIL, Transfer and Media Issues

On May 27, 2026, Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) introduced the Protect College Sports Act (PCSA). It grants the NCAA a limited antitrust exemption, caps school-direct athlete pay at $20-$21 million, limits transfers to one, sets a five-year eligibility clock, bans mid-season coach moves, and permits media-rights pooling.

ESPN

The 2021 Supreme Court ruling that allowed name, image and likeness (NIL) compensation created a patchwork of state rules, inflated player payrolls—some football programs now exceed $30 million—and an open transfer portal that threatens smaller schools and non-revenue sports. The SCORE Act’s failure spurred this bipartisan proposal.

The Hill

Football payrolls range $30-$40 million. The compensation cap is $20.5 million per school, with proposals citing $21.3 million and a flexible revenue-percentage clause. SEC and Big Ten revenues exceed $1 billion each (FY 2025). Media-rights pooling could add >$9 billion but needs 75 % of 138 FBS schools’ approval.

ESPN

Cruz called the PCSA a “stability bill” that goes beyond NIL. Cantwell said it provides predictability and protects women’s and Olympic sports. NCAA President Charlie Baker noted the association is reviewing the proposal. Senator Chris Murphy warned the antitrust exemption could let the NCAA keep underpaying athletes.

Associated Press

Murphy’s critique reflects Democratic concerns that the exemption favors the NCAA. The Congressional Black Caucus and NAACP, which opposed the SCORE Act, remain wary of any bill that avoids addressing athlete employee status. Legal scholars warn antitrust challenges to the exemption and the proposed agent-registry limits.

Associated Press

Sources list the compensation cap as $20.5 million, $21.3 million, or a flexible revenue-percentage formula. Media-rights pooling revenue estimates vary from “billions” to “uncertain” due to conference participation. The bill’s antitrust exemption is described as limited to eligibility and transfers, yet some drafts suggest broader coverage.

ESPN

• “This is a stability bill, not just an NIL bill,” — Ted Cruz, Senator

Associated Press

• “We are trying to rein in the chaos and give more predictably while doing everything we can to still protect the entire ecosystem for women and Olympic athletes,” — Maria Cantwell, Senator

ESPN

• “It gives the NCAA an antitrust exemption that no other industry gets just so they can keep underpaying the athletes,” — Chris Murphy, Senator

Associated Press

• “College sports are at a breaking point. 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,” — Ted Cruz, Senator

The Hill

The Senate Commerce Committee will hold a hearing in the next weeks. Passage requires 60 votes to break a filibuster, then House approval and presidential signature. The August Senate recess and the 2026 midterm election calendar compress the legislative window.

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