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Saban Testifies, Unions Endorse Protect College Sports Act

6/17/2026

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Summary

Saban Testifies

The Protect College Sports Act, a 111-page bill unveiled on May 27, requires 60 Senate votes.
The NFL Players Association and National Basketball Players Association sent a letter to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) supporting NIL rights and medical benefits.
Nick Saban testified for the bill, which would regulate payments, allow free transfers, and bar coach departures under a “Lane Kiffin Rule.”

Summary

Sankey Warns

The bill would require at least 75% of FBS teams to voluntarily pool their media rights.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey warned provision could expose SEC to lawsuits and force conference postseason play.
Universities with $80 million revenue cannot cut women’s or Olympic sports and must keep roster sizes and aid at 2024-25 levels.
Colleges must provide athletes with medical coverage and health-care support for up to five years after leaving school.

Summary

Senate Advances

Senate Commerce Committee must secure at least 15 of its 28 votes for the Protect College Sports Act to advance.
The bill would grant NCAA an antitrust exemption to enforce transfer and eligibility rules, prompting opposition from the Big Ten and SEC and support from the Big 12 and ACC.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell declined to appear before the House Judiciary Committee on sports-media rights since the 1961 Sports Broadcasting Act.

History

Historical Context

Facing antitrust rulings in the 1950s, the NFL and rival AFL sought league-wide TV deals; the AFL’s 1960 five-year ABC contract earned about $2.1 million annually and prompted the NFL’s 1961 CBS agreement. Congress responded by enacting the Sports Broadcasting Act on September 30, 1961, signed by President John F. Kennedy, establishing the collective-rights model now echoed in the proposed Protect College Sports Act.

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Saban Testifies

The Protect College Sports Act, a 111-page bill unveiled on May 27, requires 60 Senate votes.
The NFL Players Association and National Basketball Players Association sent a letter to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) supporting NIL rights and medical benefits.
Nick Saban testified for the bill, which would regulate payments, allow free transfers, and bar coach departures under a “Lane Kiffin Rule.”

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