Congress struggles to pass bill aimed at reforming college sports
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 10, 2026, 11:16 AM
Last updated Aug 10, 2026
Congress failed to pass the Protect College Sports Act during an urgent attempt before its summer recess. The bill sought to address issues regarding name, image, likeness legislation and transfer policies, among other college sports concerns. Despite significant lobbying efforts and support from major conferences like the Big Ten and SEC, opposition arose from groups such as the AFL-CIO. Senate sponsors Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell remain optimistic for a future vote in mid-September, but uncertainty looms ahead of midterm elections. The NCAA has encountered ongoing legal challenges, prompting changes to its eligibility policy earlier this summer.
- •Congress held multiple hearings on college sports since 2020.
- •Bill aimed to regulate athletes' payments and eligibility restrictions.
- •Senate leaders attempted to push for a vote before summer recess.
- •Opposition from groups derailed the bill just before voting.
- •NCAA faces ongoing lawsuits complicating its operations.
- 11:16 AMYahoo Sports — If Congress can’t save college sports, it’s time for Plan B. Except there is no Plan B
"Congress has held more than a dozen hearings about college sports since 2020. The NCAA and the former Power 5 conferences have combined to spend more than $15 million on lobbyists. Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti said last month he’s been to Washington, D.C., 21 times in his three-plus years on the job. They came oh-so-close to getting an actual bill out of the Senate this week: the Protect College Sports Act. Senate Majority Leader John Thune tried his darndest to get his colleagues to hurry
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