SEC and Big Ten oppose bipartisan college sports bill ahead of Senate hearing
4 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 3, 2026, 4:06 AM
Last updated Jun 3, 2026
The Southeastern Conference and the Big Ten Conference announced their opposition to a bipartisan college sports bill, citing unresolved critical issues. In a statement, they referenced concerns over the bill’s failure to effectively preempt state laws with a federal regulation. This opposition comes just before a Senate Commerce Committee hearing, where Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell will discuss the bill. While the Big 12 and Atlantic Coast Conferences have expressed support, the SEC and Big Ten hold significant influence due to their position in the College Football Playoff's future.
- •SEC and Big Ten statement released on June 3, 2026.
- •Bill aims to regulate college sports amid financial changes.
- •Senators Cruz and Cantwell lead the hearing discussion.
- •Big 12 and ACC express support for the legislation.
- •Influence of SEC and Big Ten critical for future decisions.
- 4:54 AMESPN — SEC, Big Ten jointly oppose college sports bill
- 3:17 AMYahoo Sports — Citing 'critical issues,' SEC, Big Ten withhold support for bipartisan college sports bill
"The two biggest conferences in college sports released a statement Tuesday saying they do not support the current version of a bipartisan bill designed to regulate an industry struggling for answers in a quickly changing era in which some players make millions. The Southeastern and Big Ten conferences said the “bill leaves critical issues unresolved,” including not “meaningfully” preempting state laws with a federal one, which has long been considered a key element for a measure to get support from the NCAA and the conferences. In an interview last week, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who drafted the bill with Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., told The Associated Press “the bill is drafted to preempt state laws that conflict with the provisions in this bill.”
"The SEC and Big Ten released a joint statement saying they do not support the current version of a bipartisan bill designed to regulate an industry struggling for answers in a quickly changing era in which some players make millions.
Sources
External links- ESPNJun 3, 2026, 4:54 AMSEC, Big Ten jointly oppose college sports bill
The SEC and Big Ten released a joint statement saying they do not support the current version of a bipartisan bill designed to regulate an industry struggling for answers in a quickly changing era in which some players make millions.
- Yahoo SportsJun 3, 2026, 3:17 AMCiting 'critical issues,' SEC, Big Ten withhold support for bipartisan college sports bill
The two biggest conferences in college sports released a statement Tuesday saying they do not support the current version of a bipartisan bill designed to regulate an industry struggling for answers in a quickly changing era in which some players make millions. The Southeastern and Big Ten conferences said the “bill leaves critical issues unresolved,” including not “meaningfully” preempting state laws with a federal one, which has long been considered a key element for a measure to get support from the NCAA and the conferences. In an interview last week, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who drafted the bill with Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., told The Associated Press “the bill is drafted to preempt state laws that conflict with the provisions in this bill.”
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