The U.S. Senate is scheduled to hold a final vote on Monday, Sept. 28, on the Protect College Sports Act, a sweeping bipartisan bill designed to establish national standards for athlete compensation and eligibility. The legislation, championed by Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington, follows a series of procedural votes in September to advance the measure through the upper chamber.
Legislative Progress and Support
The Protect College Sports Act (PCSA) aims to bring order to the shifting landscape of collegiate athletics, particularly regarding name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights and the transfer portal. According to Senator Cruz, the bill seeks to provide a clear and enforceable legal rulebook to replace the current "chaos" caused by outdated antitrust laws. Cruz stated that the status quo is unsustainable for the thousands of student athletes navigating what he described as a "wild west" environment.
On Tuesday, Sept. 22, the Senate voted 70-21 to end debate on the bill, and on Thursday, Sept. 24, the chamber approved a substitute amendment with a 77-23 vote, according to reports from the Deseret News. The bill has already gained significant support from various stakeholders, including 32 conferences and more than 380 schools. Senator Cruz noted that the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, which represents approximately half a million student athletes nationwide, also supports the legislation.
Impact on Missionary Eligibility
The proposed law would codify a five-year eligibility window for athletes, beginning the year they turn 19 or finish high school. Crucially, the bill would include exemptions for time spent on missionary service, military stints, and during pregnancies, meaning these periods would not count against an athlete's eligibility clock. While the NCAA adopted a similar "five for five" rule in June, the PCSA would establish these exemptions as federal statute.
This specific provision carries significant weight for Brigham Young University (BYU). The Deseret News reported on Aug. 24 that BYU's 2026 football roster includes 64 returned missionaries who served in 29 different countries. Approximately 25 of those players appear on the team's two-deep depth chart, including starting tight end Walker Lyons, who served a mission in Oslo, Norway. BYU head coach Kalani Sitake, who served a mission in Oakland, California, in the mid-1990s, stated on Sept. 22 that while he understands why some might be hesitant about the bill, he sees merit in the legislation and noted that BYU will find a way to make it work regardless of the outcome.
Revenue and Compensation Rules
Beyond eligibility, the PCSA proposes significant changes to how schools and athletes interact financially. The bill seeks to cap school-to-athlete revenue sharing and would limit athletes to one transfer without a required sit-out year. Additionally, the legislation would provide five years of post-eligibility health care for athletes.
Estimates regarding the financial impact of the bill's revenue-sharing caps vary. The Deseret News cited figures of roughly $21.58 million in direct payments plus a $27.5 million retention pool. However, Front Office Sports reported a different total, estimating nearly $48 million when combining base, retention, and Olympic-sport allocations. The bill also aims to strengthen NIL transparency and address issues of tampering and recruitment.
Criticism and Context
The push for federal intervention comes as college sports grapple with the fallout of 2021 NCAA guidelines that allowed athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness. The landscape has also been complicated by a patchwork of varying state NIL laws and a federal judge's approval last year of a nearly $2.8 billion antitrust settlement that allows schools to pay athletes directly.
The bill has faced criticism from those who believe it does not go far enough or addresses the wrong priorities. Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, criticized the Senate's focus on college sports while the nation faces conflicts in the Middle East and rising gas prices. He argued the bill "seeks to preserve the exploitative model of college sports." Additionally, the NAACP formally opposed the bill in August, with President Derrick Johnson calling it a measure "about exploiting student athletes."
Next Legislative Steps
While the Senate moves toward a final vote on Monday, the legislation still faces hurdles in the House of Representatives. Senator Eric Schmitt, a Republican cosponsor of the bill, stated that the measure has support in the House and from the President. However, the House is not scheduled to reconvene until Nov. 9, following a seven-week campaign break for the midterm elections, and no specific date has been set for a House vote.
