Story perspectives

Senate Advances Bill Banning Power-Conference Mergers, Protects $1.6B NCAA Revenue

6/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

Senate Commerce Committee advanced the Protect College Sports Act to the Senate floor with a 19–9 vote on June 22, 2026.
Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) sponsored the bill, which bans power-conference mergers and adds the ACC and Big 12 to anti-expansion rules.
Opponents include Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti and Yankees president Randy Levine, while the act targets a $1.6 billion NCAA revenue cut, noting 60 % went to non-power conferences.

1 of 1

Story summary

Senate Commerce Committee advanced the Protect College Sports Act to the Senate floor with a 19–9 vote on June 22, 2026.
Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) sponsored the bill, which bans power-conference mergers and adds the ACC and Big 12 to anti-expansion rules.
Opponents include Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti and Yankees president Randy Levine, while the act targets a $1.6 billion NCAA revenue cut, noting 60 % went to non-power conferences.